Only a fool 'gets smart' with the police, especially the civis.

We're going to err on the side of caution and take some shoes with backs to keep in the hire car for when driving.

What is the fine for?

Our son-in-law is one of them.....he's one of the better ones, but I'm not even sure if his parents were married!

I got tugged recently for no seatbelt & the Guardia didn't say anything about me driving in flip flops

My late father-in-law told me that it is not allowed for EU member states to have their own private army. I've since had this repeated to me by others but haven't looked into it further.

It just amuses me that Spain goes its own way so much, even if it does mean paying a fine.

I wasn't aware that the GC was any longer classified as a private army, though it's possible there still remain traces of a few political overtones from Francos days.

You could be correct and I'm simply out-of-date (anyone else know?). I know the GC used to be Franco's personal army but not sure how they are viewed now or even if Spain does, in fact, pay a fine.

According to Wiki the GC has foreign peace-keeping missions and maintains military status and is the equivalent of a federal military-status police force.

It is also a member of the EGF.

The European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) is a multinational initiative of 5 EU Member States - France, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain - to strengthen international crisis management capacities. The EGF aims at a consistent and co-ordinated deployment of EU police forces with a military status and full police powers. The EGF will be, first and foremost, at the disposal of the EU. It can also be put at the disposal of the UN, OSCE, NATO, other international organisations or ad hoc coalitions.

EGF Participants have responded to the need to rapidly conduct civil security actions, sometimes parallel with the military intervention, by establishing this multinational tool. The EGF should facilitate the handling of crisis that require management by police forces, usually in a critical situation, either in a civil crisis environment or alongside a military force.

Bearing this in mind it would seem unlikely for it to be classed as a private army and even more unlikely that it is being fined by the EU.

That said, we are getting away from the exciting discussion about driving in crocs

IMO.
Yes I think they should be questionable as they appear be to big clumsy type footwear that will give little control/feel & as one poster has said they can often hit the throttle while braking while braking when wearing them.
Mind you having said that a pair of DocMartin type work boots can often find a pedal while engaged on another job, so it would of course depend a lot on just what type of car & pedal arrangement as some can be much closer set than others.

In the summer I wear/keep in the car a pair of yachting type cloth shoes that fit quite well, are easy to put on, and give good feel.

??

you've turned your smilies off again, haven't you

No... unfortunately I can still see them!

really?






btw - I love my crocs, but wouldn't wear them while driving



best really - since I can't actually drive!!!

You can go off a person you know!