Spain’s Traffic Authority Launches Christmas Campaign With 20,000 Checkpoints
Spain News
Published: 07 December 2021 15:28 CET
From Monday, December 6, Spain’s General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) will launch its new Christmas safety campaign.
The initial campaign, which will run from December 6 to December 12, was announced in a statement that revealed that drivers will be faced with around 20,000 daily controls, with police officers paying particular attention to alcohol and drug usage.
This week was chosen as it coincides with the holiday weekend and is the period when most Christmas parties and events take place across the country.
Drivers should be aware that with 19 new regulations in the Traffic Law, the DGT’s intention is to clamp down on all traffic infringements which could lead to fines of up to 1,000 euros being issued.
Local Police forces will work alongside Guardia Civil traffic police, manning controls that will take place at various times throughout the day, on all road types throughout the municipalities of Spain with more than 25,000 residents.
A report on toxicological findings in fatalities in traffic accidents showed that last year 49% of the 597 drivers who died in traffic accidents and underwent an autopsy and toxicological analysis, tested positive for alcohol, drugs or psychotropic drugs. This represents a 3 point increase on 2019.
El Espanol has reported that any driver that is breathalysed and sees their blood alcohol level read between 0.25mg/l and 0.50mg/l, will automatically have four points deducted from their driving licence in addition to a 500 euro fine.
If the alcohol level of 0.50mg/l is exceeded, the fine will rise to 1,000 euros and six points will be deducted.
Any breathalysed driver that has a reading of more than 0.60mg/l and 1.2mg/l in their blood will see themselves charged with ‘a crime against road safety’. This is a serious offence that will result in the driver receiving a four-year driving ban plus either a prison sentence of between three and six months, six to twelve months or community service of between 30 and 90 days.
Any driver that refuses to submit to the tests, risks being punished with a six to twelve-month prison sentence and a four-year driving ban.
As for driving whilst under the influence of drugs, drivers will have six points deducted from their licence and a 1,000 euro fine. If found guilty of driving under the influence of toxic drugs, narcotics, or psychotropic substances, a driver could receive a four-year driving ban plus either a prison sentence of between three and six months, six to twelve months or community service of between 30 and 90 days.
Source
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/06/fines-of-up-to-e1000-in-the-latest-dgt-christmas-campaign/
https://spanishnewstoday.com/dgt_launches_christmas_campaign_with_20_000_checkpoints_across_spain_1694166-a.html
Image Credit: Pxhere
