These are the most common driving fines issued in winter in Spain
Drivers in Spain can face several hefty fines during the cooler months
Just as certain fines are more frequent in summer, such as for driving in unsafe footwear, several infractions are likely to get motorists into trouble in the colder months and the penalties can hit pockets hard. During the winter, drivers will often have to face adverse weather conditions such as rain, wind, snow, ice and fog, and the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has reiterated the importance of proper vehicle maintenance at this time of year.
The most common infractions during winter months
- If the windshield or any of the car’s windows are damaged to the extent that visibility is hindered, fines can be issued of up to 200 euros.
- If ice has not been completely removed from the windshield, or the glass is excessively dirty, drivers could be forced to pay out 80 euros.
- Placing unauthorised stickers, paper or similar items on the windshield or widows can result in penalties of up to 200 euros.
- If the car has tinted or coloured rear windows and the driver does not have official authorisation then they can be fined 200 euros.
- Using wiper blades that are in poor condition, reducing visibility and posing a danger to the driver and other road users, can carry a fine of 80 euros.
- A sanction of 200 euros can be issued if a licence plate on a vehicle isn’t fully legible.
Snow chains
Although it is not mandatory to carry snow chains in vehicles in Spain, they should always be used when the R-412 sign is displayed on a road, unless the car already has winter or all-season tyres. Failure to do so could result in a fine of 200 euros.
Tyres
One of the main things the DGT looks out for is the condition of tyres, particularly in the winter when road conditions may be more precarious.
- According to the current regulations, the minimum depth limit that a tyre thread must have is 1.6 millimetres.
- Drivers caught with bald or defective tyres could be fined 200 euros per tyre.
Horn
Often overused in Spain, the main functions of the horn are to warn other drivers and road users of danger, to alert other motorists to the beginning of an overtaking outside of towns and to warn of your presence on narrow roads.
- If a driver sounds the horn for no reason, that is, not for any of the reasons mentioned above, a fine of 80 euros can be issued.
Emergency stops
- If a driver leaves the vehicle following an emergency stop without wearing a reflective vest, a fine of 200 euros will be issued and three points will be deducted. If a passenger fails to wear the vest, the driver will also be fined 200 euros.
- If after suffering a traffic accident or a breakdown the driver does not correctly place the emergency triangles to signal that the car has stopped, they can be sanctioned with a fine of 80 euros.
Lights
- Driving in urban areas at night with full headlights can result in a fine of 200 euros.
- Driving without low beams or dipped headlights at any time of the day through tunnels or underpasses or in adverse weather conditions will cost drivers 200 euros.
- Turning on high beams that could dazzle drivers travelling in the opposite direction could result in a fine of up to 200 euros.
Image: Archive
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