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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [POLITICS]
62 clusters · 343 sources · 80 days · First seen · Last updated
Spain expands traffic safety and vehicle reforms (Oct 2026)
Overview
Spain’s comprehensive traffic‑safety overhaul, set to take effect 1 Oct 2026, expands the earlier reforms with additional equipment, enforcement and vehicle‑type rules. The revised Reglamento General de Circulación now obliges motorcyclists to wear a high‑visibility vest when stopped, mandates protective gloves for drivers and passengers, requires fully homologated helmets and a constant vest for professional riders, and imposes €200 fines for non‑compliance. The Guardia Civil has begun spot checks during a summer safety campaign.
Annex VII of the General Vehicle Regulations was amended (published in the BOE 30 May 2026) to set a 1 mm legal tread depth for trucks, buses and heavy trailers and to require extreme‑winter tyres on vehicles over 3 500 kg; serious breaches attract €500 fines and six licence‑point losses. Overtaking rules were tightened: on inter‑urban roads drivers must reduce speed by at least 20 km/h and keep a 1.5 m lateral gap, with a full‑lane change on multi‑lane roads; in cities a five‑metre distance from a bicycle in the same lane is required. Users under 15 are barred from electric scooters, which must now be registered, display a digital ID plate, carry civil‑liability insurance and pay an €8.67 fee; non‑compliance is fined.
A new Instruction PROT 2026/04 replaces the 2023 motorhome regime, defining parking versus camping, introducing the S‑128 sign for waste‑water dump points and setting inspection intervals (category M exempt for four years, then biennial up to ten years, thereafter annual; category N yearly to ten years, then semi‑annual). About 250 000 motorhomes travel Spain each summer.
Pilot projects in Barcelona will test low‑speed impact absorbers and reflective delimiters at high‑risk urban sites in 2027. Earlier measures such as compulsory taxi‑driver seat‑belts and a centrally reserved emergency lane on multi‑lane motorways remain in force.
Entities
Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) · Pere Navarro · Fundación Línea Directa · A-1 highway · V‑16 emergency beacon
Timeline
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9 days ago
[HEALTH] 13 sourcesSpain records 11 traffic deaths during summer travel operationSpain's DGT reports 11 traffic deaths, including four motorcyclists, during the August summer travel operation, with major highway congestion and 44 emergency calls in Cádiz.
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11 days ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's DGT rolls out new rules for motorhomes and electric scootersSpain's DGT updated motorhome parking and inspection rules and mandated electric scooter registration with an €8.67 fee starting Jan 2026.
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17 days ago
[POLITICS] 4 sourcesSpain launches major traffic law overhaul on Oct. 1, 2026Spain's new traffic law, effective Oct. 1 2026, lowers heavy‑vehicle tyre tread to 1 mm, raises fines, and adds stricter overtaking rules for cyclists and e‑scooter users.
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19 days ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain mandates reflective vests and protective gear for motorcyclists from October 2026Spain’s new traffic rules from Oct 2026 require motorcyclists to carry a reflective vest, wear protective gloves and homologated helmets, with €200 fines for violations; Barcelona will test impact absorbers and
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22 days ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain strengthens vehicle inspection and road safety rules for 2026Spain's DEKRA warns drivers that 30% skip ITV checks, while a new decree (Real Decreto 518/2026) tightens traffic rules, mandates reflective vests for motorcycles and expands protections for vulnerable road‑way
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22 days ago
[HEALTH] 2 sourcesSpain records high road fatality rates in Huelva and top accident‑prone citiesSpain’s traffic safety data shows the 15 cities with the highest accident rates per capita, while Huelva province recorded twelve road deaths in the first half of 2024.
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23 days ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's DGT Announces New Seatbelt and Emergency Lane Rules for DriversSpain tightens traffic rules: seat‑belts become mandatory for taxis, couriers and driving instructors, with €200 fines and 4 points loss; from Oct 2026 a central emergency lane on highways will be required, mir
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25 days ago
[POLITICS] 8 sourcesSpain Imposes Fines for Improper Use of Connected V16 Emergency BeaconsSpain’s DGT requires drivers to use V16 connected beacons together with warning lights, imposing €80‑€200 fines for non‑compliance, while the beacons share real‑time incident data to improve road safety.
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26 days ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain Allows 17‑Year‑Olds to Drive with Accompanied LicenceSpain's DGT will let 17‑year‑olds drive with an adult mentor meeting strict criteria, while confirming no age cap for drivers; renewals after 70 require medical checks.
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27 days ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's DGT mandates emergency lane on highways and unveils eTraffic incident mapSpain's DGT will enforce a €200‑fine emergency lane on motorways from Oct 1 2026 and offers the eTraffic web map for real‑time road incident alerts.
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28 days ago
[HEALTH] 6 sourcesSpain's aging car fleet and poor maintenance raise road fatality riskSpain's aging car fleet and low ITV compliance increase accident fatality risk, with defects tripling deaths and raising injury counts over the past decade.
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28 days ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sourcesEU and Spain mandate new vehicle safety devices from 2026From July 2026 the EU requires new cars to have driver‑attention cameras, advanced emergency braking and pedestrian protection, while Spain mandates a V‑16 beacon on all vehicles from Jan 2026, with fines up to
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29 days ago
[POLITICS] 5 sourcesSpanish courts block Madrid low‑emission zone articles and cancel Mogán tourist taxSpain’s Supreme Court upheld Madrid’s new low‑emission zone rules, while the Canary Islands court annulled Mogán’s tourist tax for lacking a defined service.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's DGT Enforces New Emergency Lane Rule and Overtaking Fines Starting 2026Starting 1 Oct 2026 Spain's DGT makes emergency lanes mandatory in traffic jams (fine >€200) and keeps €200 overtaking fines with up to 4 licence points for dangerous cases.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain's traffic authority mandates automatic Guardia Civil response to V‑16 beacon activationSpain's DGT mandates automatic Guardia Civil response to V‑16 beacon activation and stresses that drivers must still carry registration, licence and ITV documents, with fines up to €500 for missing paperwork.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesMadrid court rulings curb low‑emission zone and block Ayuso's land‑law reformsSpain's Supreme Court dismissed Madrid's appeal over low‑emission zone rules, while the Constitutional Court upheld a challenge to Ayuso's land‑law procedure, citing violation of amendment rights.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain mandates helmets for cyclists and permits motorcyclists to use shoulder laneSpain's 2026 traffic reforms require helmets for all cyclists (€200 fine) and let motorcyclists use the shoulder lane in traffic jams under specific conditions.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain introduces 200‑euro fines for motorcyclists, couriers and e‑scootersSpain's DGT will impose a 200‑euro fine for motorcyclists, couriers and e‑scooter riders for safety breaches, while Sant Pere de Ribes launches an “Empatitza” campaign to enforce similar local rules.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain sets 15‑year age limit for e‑scooters; Colombia drafts micromobility regulationsSpain bans e‑scooter riders under 15 from Oct 2026 with fines; Colombia proposes safety‑equipment rules and ID plates for micromobility vehicles starting 2027.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpanish cities' low‑emission zones face criticism and public debateSpain's Granada and Soria municipalities face criticism and debate over low‑emission zones, with Granada's opposition citing rising pollution and transport delays, while Soria holds public meetings to explain
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's traffic authority clarifies fines for driving barefootSpain's DGT can fine drivers €80‑€200 for barefoot driving under safety rules, though no specific ban exists; closed shoes are advised.
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesSpain's Traffic Authority Rolls Out New LIDAR Speed Cameras and Tightens Elder Driver LicensingSpain's DGT is installing new LIDAR speed cameras that detect violations up to 200 m away and adding stricter renewal rules for drivers born 1956‑1961, including shorter licence periods and mandatory health‑cog
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesEurope's 2026 traffic law updates tighten penalties and vehicle equipment rulesGermany and Spain rolled out 2026 traffic law changes: Germany extended fine periods, introduced digital parking scans and mandatory safety systems for new cars; Spain imposed footwear, glove and future helmet‑
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about 1 month ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sourcesSpain's 2026 Summer Road Travel Spike Spurs Rear‑End Crash Study and EV AdviceSpain expects over 104 million long‑distance trips in summer 2026; rear‑end crashes dominate injury claims, often causing neck injuries, while officials urge EV drivers to schedule charging stops every 200 km.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 5 sourcesSpain bans open footwear for motorcyclists, fines start at €200Spain’s new 2026 DGT rules require helmets, CE‑approved gloves and closed shoes for motorcyclists, with fines from €200; a hard‑shoulder lane use is also introduced.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain tightens motorcycle rules: closed shoes, gloves and side‑lane use from Oct 2026Spain's 2026 traffic reform mandates closed shoes and gloves for two‑wheeler riders and introduces conditional side‑lane use during traffic jams, with a €200 fine for non‑compliance.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain's DGT Advises Against Turning Wheels While Parked and Misusing Hazard LightsSpain's DGT warns that turning wheels while parked can damage steering and should only be done on steep slopes, and it highlights that traffic law still mandates hand signals over hazard lights despite modern A
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 4 sourcesSpain's new motorcycle traffic rules face Catalonia splitFrom Oct 1, Spain permits motorcycles to use the hard shoulder in traffic jams, but Catalonia will not enforce it and may fine riders; a new law also mandates a reflective vest for motorcyclists on highways.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain introduces mandatory gloves and shoulder‑lane use for motorcyclistsSpain’s DGT will require motorcyclists to wear approved gloves and closed shoes and permit limited shoulder‑lane use in traffic jams, with €200 fines for violations starting Oct 1 2026.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain tightens traffic rules, ending belt exemption for couriers and removing amber flash lights at pedestrian crossingsSpain's new traffic decree ends the seat‑belt exemption for urban couriers and abolishes amber flash lights at pedestrian crossings, with fines of €200 for violations, effective 1 Oct.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain launches P35 road sign to warn of weaving lanesSpain’s DGT introduced the P35 sign in 2025 to warn drivers of weaving lanes, with fines of €200 for violations and guidance on priority rules.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain's aging car fleet and tighter licence renewal rules for drivers over 65Spain reports 41% of cars are over 15 years old, hindering decarbonisation, while new rules shorten licence renewal for drivers 65+, requiring medical checks and offering fee exemptions over 70.
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about 1 month ago
[POLITICS] 8 sourcesSpain rolls out comprehensive 2026 traffic safety reformsSpain's 2026 traffic reform caps road speed at 80 km/h, bans radar devices, mandates helmets for cyclists, gloves and closed shoes for motorcyclists, and removes seat‑belt exemptions, with €200 fines for most違規
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's DGT imposes €200 fines for helmets, gloves, seat belts from Oct 2026Spain's DGT will fine €200 for missing helmets on scooters, open helmets, gloves, closed shoes and taxi seat‑belts from 1 Oct 2026, with most rules applying immediately.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain and Argentina tighten electric scooter rules with age, helmet and insurance mandatesSpain and Argentina approve stricter electric‑scooter rules: minimum age 15, mandatory helmet and reflective vest, lighting, insurance and fines of €200‑€610.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain investigates high‑speed motorcyclist and enforces mandatory helmet rule for cyclistsSpain’s Guardia Civil probes a motorcyclist clocked at 166 km/h during the Jerez GP, while a new law makes helmets mandatory for all cyclists on inter‑urban roads. A cyclist was also rescued after a severe fall
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 4 sourcesMálaga and Albacete low-emission zones spark legal and political disputesMalaga’s ZBE fines 10,000 drivers and faces a court overturn; Albacete approves a limited ZBE to meet climate law and secure EU funds, sparking local legal and political debate.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 10 sourcesSpain sets 15‑year age limit for e‑scooters, mandates helmets and cuts speed when overtaking cyclistsSpain's traffic law revamp, effective Oct 1 2026, sets a 15‑year age floor for e‑scooters, makes helmets compulsory for scooters and bikes, forces motorcyclists to wear gloves and closed shoes, bans sandals, &
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 4 sourcesSpain imposes 15-year minimum age for electric scooters amid fatal rider accidentSpain sets a 15‑year age floor and helmet rule for electric scooters; a 17‑year‑old was detained after a fatal scooter crash in Lleida.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 22 sourcesSpain revamps traffic rules to protect vulnerable road usersSpain updates traffic law: 15‑year age limit for e‑scooters, mandatory helmets, gloves and reflective gear, tougher cyclist overtaking rules, and €200 fines; most rules start 1 Oct 2026.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain’s Low‑Emission Zones Face Protests as Madrid Reports 50% Drop in FinesSpain’s low‑emission zones spark protests over freedom and fairness, while Madrid reports a 46% drop in ZBE fines in January 2026, attributed to higher driver awareness and stricter camera enforcement.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain's DGT authorizes 17‑year‑olds to drive under supervision from 2028Spain's DGT will let 17‑year‑olds drive conventional cars under strict supervision, with a five‑year‑licensed escort, zero‑alcohol limit and a provisional permit valid until age 18; the rule aims to cut novice‑
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain's traffic chief Pere Navarro warns of fines for drivers without mandatory V16 emergency beaconSpain's traffic chief Pere Navarro says the V16 emergency beacon is mandatory; police will fine drivers who lack it, and it offers safety advantages over traditional triangles.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesFrance and Spain to enforce new 2026 motorcycle safety inspections and equipment rulesFrom 2026 France will mandate technical inspections for motorcycles registered in 2020‑21 and Spain will enforce EU‑wide helmet, glove and shoe rules for riders.
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about 2 months ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesSpain's DGT warns of fines for double parking and arm‑out driving; rear‑window defogger lines explainedSpain's DGT says double parking and arm‑out driving may be fined if unsafe; rear‑window defogger lines heat glass to clear fog and ice, but can be damaged by harsh cleaning.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesFrance, Spain tighten road traffic rules with new finesFrance mandates four vehicle documents from 2026 to avoid fines up to €750; Spain's 2025 code lets authorities fine passengers up to €500 for violations like not wearing seatbelts or littering.
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about 2 months ago
[CULTURE] 2 sourcesDriver confusion over traffic signs in Spain and DenmarkSpain’s parking sign with a religious‑service exemption and Denmark’s S‑3 lane‑reservation sign are often misread, causing drivers to incur fines or use prohibited lanes.
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's DGT rolls out pilot driving‑exam plan and V16 beacon mandateSpain's DGT piloted the PRO driving‑exam plan in four provinces, noting low candidate turnout, and warned drivers to carry the mandatory V16 beacon this summer while adding mobile radars and authorising 16 AV‑s
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about 2 months ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's traffic agency DGT mandates V‑16 beacons and explains new S‑63b road signSpain's DGT orders drivers to carry V‑16 beacons, adds mobile radars in construction zones, and rolls out the new S‑63b sign indicating three‑lane road splits.
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about 2 months ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesSpain expands V16 emergency beacon use and map ahead of 2026 mandateSpain’s V16 emergency beacon, set to be mandatory in 2026, feeds a live DGT map of road alerts and can auto‑share vehicle locations with police for faster assistance.
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2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesAndalusian Court Overturns Málaga Low‑Emission Zone RestrictionsSpain's Andalusian High Court struck down the exemption in Málaga's low‑emission zone, calling it discriminatory; fines continue while the city weighs an appeal and possible ordinance changes, with the mayor v
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2 months ago
[POLITICS] 8 sourcesSpain's traffic chief urges drivers to carry V‑16 emergency beacon this summerSpain’s traffic chief Pere Navarro urges all drivers to keep the mandatory V‑16 emergency beacon in their glove compartments this summer, citing safety benefits and upcoming police enforcement.
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2 months ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesSpain's DGT clarifies V16 beacon requirements for vehiclesSpain's DGT says the V16 emergency beacon will be mandatory for most vehicles from Jan 1 2026, but ITV does not check for it; motorcycles are exempt and lack during a breakdown may incur an €80 fine.
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2 months ago
[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesSpain's DGT launches connected traffic cones and tightens V16 beacon rulesSpain's DGT approved smart traffic cones that send real‑time data and strengthened the mandatory V16 beacon rule, fine‑ing drivers €200 for non‑compliance.
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2 months ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain imposes €400 fine for illegal tow hitch installationsSpain's BOE confirms a €400 fine for tow hitches installed without proper homologation and a €200 fine for obstructing the licence plate, under the anti‑tuning law.
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2 months ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesMadrid and Gijón enforce stricter low‑emission zone rulesMadrid limits historic cars in its ZBE to 96 days a year with €200 fines; Gijón’s new ZBE will delay fines until 2029 as truck traffic mitigation plans unfold.
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2 months ago
[POLITICS] 3 sourcesSpain's DGT mandates V16 emergency beacon, fines up to €80 for misuseSpain's DGT will require the V16 emergency beacon from January 2026, replacing triangles, and will fine drivers up to €80 for incorrect use.
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2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesFrance and Spain impose harsher penalties for mobile phone use while drivingFrance will immediately suspend licences for phone use combined with other offences, while Spain fines drivers up to €200 for phone holders that block the view.
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2 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain's Low‑Emission Zones Questioned by EU and Alcorcón CouncilEU says low‑emission zones are not mandatory; Spain's Alcorcón implements a €3 million ZBE affecting only 2.5% of vehicles, sparking political criticism over its social impact.
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3 months ago
[POLITICS] 237 sourcesMalaga and Cadiz enforce low‑emission zones, fines issued in MalagaMalaga’s low‑emission zone fined about 5,000 drivers €200 each, while Cadiz has just launched its ZBE with a six‑month grace period before fines begin, both under EU rules for Spanish cities.
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3 months ago
[POLITICS] 2 sourcesSpain's DGT warns of €200 fines and 6‑point loss for handheld phone use and obstructive mountsSpain’s DGT says handheld phone use or obstructive mounts while driving can cost €200 and six licence points, even when stopped, and urges hands‑free use only.
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3 months ago
[CRIME] 2 sourcesSpain Enforces Penalties: New Traffic‑Fine Guidance and Police Assault ConvictionSpain details traffic‑fine procedures and a Vigo police officer receives a €300 fine for assaulting a pregnant woman.
Sources
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