(This article appeared in nexonr about six weeks ago but these chan ges have n ow come into force.)
The new Road Traffic Law has become law and has 20 clauses some of which open the door for more reforms in the new future. The changes are:-
Cyclists
All children under 16 years must wear a helmet in urban areas. Helmets are obligatory for all cyclists outside the city.
Cycles cannot be immobilised even if the cyclist is fined for an offence, which in the case of a motorist, would carry immobilisation
Cyclists are allowed to circulate a speeds below the minimum speed limit.
Speed
The reform of the law opens the door for a possible increase to 130 kph of the maximum speed limit on certain stretches of motorway and to reduce by 10 kph the maximum speed limit on secondary roads as well as creating areas in cities with maximums of 20 to 30kph. These as yet are not in effect.
All devices used to detect radar or other methods of speed control are prohibited and carry a fine of 200€ and three points off your licence. Inhibitors are already prohibited and carry fines of 6,000€ and six points.
Children
Children who are less than 1.35m tall must use appropiate child seats. No minor may occupy the front seat unless all the other seats are occupied by other minors.
Vehicles can be immobilised if the chlidren are not using regulation childrens´ car seats or seat belts.
Alcohol and Drugs
It is prohibited to drive under the influence of illegal drugs with the exception of those prescribed by a docotor eg.methodone. Fines of 1,000€.
Fines of 500€ will be maintained for the drivers who have been drinking and will be 1000€ for drinking above the legal limit or for the second offence of drinking and driving.
New offences
There will be fines for:-
Carrying out work on a road without previously notifying the authority responsable for the managment of the road.
Unsafe loads which fall or carry grave risk for other users
Cause damage to the infrastructure of the road or alter the circulation due to the size or length of a vehicle.
Animals
Accidents caused by game animals will be the responsibility of the driver. The owner of the animal can not claim the value of the animal. The owner of the game animals will be responsable only when there is no warning signs or the signs have not been repaired.
Foreigners
It is obligatory to have Spanish number plates on a vehicle used on national terrority by foreign residents and owners of establishments..
A procedure will be put in place for the interchange of information across borders regarding traffic offences committed by vehicles registered in Spain or any other state of the EU or any other country. There will be access to the registers.
Others
There will be an increase in the period for entering a defence to a road traffic offence and voluntarily paying a fine from 15 to 20 days.
It will be permitted not to stop and identify an offender when the agent is controlling traffic and does not have the means to pursue the offencer.
It will be posible to restrict access or circulation of certain vehicles for environmental reasons.
Cranes carrying out the rescue of vehicles will have priority on the road.
A Conference for the Traffic Centre will be created and, among other changes, there will be new members such as victims associations.
