Spain's Civil Guard deploys aerial radar to fine drivers for mobile use at red lights

The Spanish Guardia Civil can issue a €200 fine and a loss of six licence points to drivers who handle a mobile phone while stopped at a red traffic light, treating the situation as active driving. The penalty applies even if the driver only looks at the phone for a second, as the law considers the vehicle in circulation.

The Civil Guard's Pegasus helicopter now carries a radar XL equipped with two gimballed cameras that record the vehicle’s interior. From an altitude of about 300 m, the system can detect speed violations and, when suspicious behaviour is observed, zoom in to see if the driver is using a phone, not wearing a seat‑belt, or otherwise distracted. Fines for such offences range from €100 to €600, with potential loss of up to six points on the licence.