Traffic law reform: radar detectors, drugs, helmets and fines

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. Using radar or speed camera detection devices while driving is banned, as is installing radar jammers. Devices that only report where speed cameras are located are not covered by the ban. Carrying a detector is punished with a fine and a 3-point license deduction.
2. The mere presence of drugs in a driver's body is punished, except for medications prescribed for therapeutic purposes. Drug testing will be done through a saliva test. Alcohol and drug fines rise to €1,000 in certain cases and deduct 6 points.
3. Helmets become mandatory for minors under 16 riding bicycles on any road, and also for anyone riding on intercity roads. In addition, minors may be barred from certain vehicle seats depending on their age or height.
4. Anyone carrying out road works must notify the Central Traffic Headquarters or the regional or local traffic authority before starting, and follow its instructions. Failing to do so is a serious offense.
5. The Superior Road Safety Council is renamed the Superior Council of Traffic, Road Safety and Sustainable Mobility, and the Sectoral Conference on Traffic, Road Safety and Sustainable Mobility is created as a cooperation body between the State and the autonomous communities with transferred traffic powers.
6. The European Directive allowing information exchange between European Union states to punish traffic offenses committed with vehicles registered in another country is incorporated. The Central Traffic Headquarters acts as the national contact point.

Who it affects

• Drivers in general: New bans (radar detectors, handheld phones), higher fines for alcohol and drugs, and license point deductions.
• Cyclists and minors under 16: Helmet required in more situations, and minors may be restricted from certain seats based on age or height.
• Companies and individuals doing road works: Must notify the traffic authority before starting works and follow its instructions, with a fine if they do not.
• Foreign drivers and owners of vehicles registered in Spain: Data exchange between EU countries to punish offenses committed outside the country of registration.
• Autonomous communities with traffic powers: They take part in the new Sectoral Conference for cooperation with the State.

Words worth knowing

Cinemómetro (speed camera)

Device that measures vehicle speed, such as a radar.

Inhibidor de radares (radar jammer)

Device that blocks or interferes with traffic surveillance radars.

Vía interurbana (intercity road)

Road linking towns, outside urban areas.

Detracción de puntos (point deduction)

Loss of points from the driving license as a penalty for an offense.

Texto refundido (consolidated text)

A single text that brings together a law and all its amendments, organized and clarified.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries