HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

A new sand storm known as a 'Calima' has once again coloured the Spanish skies orange.

The days of dust and dirt appeared to be over, but a new Calima has once again hit the skies as an Atlantic storm joined a new cloud of dust from the Sahara, causing new mud rains.

Although not as fierce as last week, the State Meteorological Agency has reported that twelve communities along with Ceuta are most at risk due to persistent rains and coastal phenomena.

The Calima has worsened the air quality causing respiratory and circulatory problems, due to the dust particles causing mud showers. Houses, patios and cars have all been covered in the tiny particles, but did you know that if you drive with dirty windows you could face a fine?

Cars covered in the orange dust have been a common sight across the country, but according to article 19 of the General Traffic Regulations, which refers to the visibility of a vehicle, "the glass surface of the vehicle must allow, in any case, the driver clear visibility over the entire road on which he/she is driving."

The same article also states that "Infringements of the rules of this precept will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of article 67.2 of the articulated text of the Law on traffic, circulation of motor vehicles and road safety".

So if you are caught driving a car with dirty windows that restrict your visibility of the road, you are breaking the law and will receive a fine.

A dirty car, in general, can be a danger to both the driver, its passengers, or other road users and for this reason, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) can issue you with a fine.

That fine can be anything between 80 and 200 euros, however, if an officer considers the windscreen to be extremely dirty, they could even put your car out of action and immobilise it.

So before setting off on the roads, make sure you clean all of your car windows to avoid a fine. But remember not to wash it on a public road, as this will also lead to a fine that can range from as little as 30 euros to a whopping 3,000 euros!

Also bear in mind what you are trying to remove from the windscreen. If you are considering using your windscreen wipers to clear them, think again, as this action will cause the tiny grainy particles to scratch the glass.

Experts advise pouring warm water over the windscreen from the top, this way the sand particles will slide with the water to the bottom, avoiding any scratches. It is also advised that you clean the windscreen wipers as well as the window rubbers in order to avoid any further problems and a possible fine!

Source

https://cadenaser.com/2022/03/25/la-multa-a-la-que-puedes-enfrentarte-si-no-limpias-debidamente-el-coche-tras-la-calima/