On the grounds that ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’, all drivers in Spain are advised immediately to familiarise themselves with the detail of the new traffic laws which are coming into effect on 9 May 2014 (Ley 6/2014 modificando la Ley sobre Tráfico, Circulación de Vehículos a Motor y Seguridad Vial 339/1990); a mere 21 pages!

Among the new provisions are the following:

1. Speeding fines apply for exceeding the limit by just 1kph! On some motorways, the speed limit is being increased from 120kph to 130kph, but in many towns, the speed limit is being reduced from 30kph to 20kph.
2. If the Guardia Civil observe a motoring offence and note the vehicle registration number, this provides sufficient evidence to prosecute- no need for them to stop vehicles.
3. A minimum fine of 1,000 Euros will be payable by drivers caught driving whilst double the drink drive limit or above; or in all cases for reoffending drink drivers; and drivers under the influence of drugs.
4. The Guardia Civil can seize any vehicle carrying children without legally compliant child seats.
5. The very specific rules as to where children must sit in the vehicle (according to age/ height) must be observed, otherwise drivers face heavy fines.
6. Cyclists under 16 years of age must wear helmets.
7. Drivers have much higher duties to ensure the safety of cyclists of all ages.
8. Speed camera/ radar detectors are prohibited.
9. An EU Directive is to be implemented so that driving offences committed in one EU country are reported to the EU country of registration of the vehicle in question.
10. Much stricter rules are being implemented for the Spanish registration of foreign registered vehicles kept in Spain.

Be careful out there.

does that mean my local Trafico police will not be parking up on roundabouts and stopping people there ?

does that mean that the cyclists and motorcyclists in Granada won't be allowed to jump red traffic lights ?

and will the Trafico be around when cyclists motorcyclists go the wrong way round roundabouts and drive on pavements ?

some hopes

Oh thats great. An open cheque book for the Town Hall.

That means you can be prosecuted if the guardia think (in their opinion) you have done something wrong without you even knowing until you get the letter, and the chances of you winning the argument then will be as good as zero

Good luck drivers

...or the incessant tailgating on the motorways, hogging of the middle lane and of course the need for a crystal ball at roundabouts.....

The EU's top court has annulled a law aimed at boosting European police efforts to tackle driving offences.

The European Commission had contested the legal basis of Directive 2011/82, which gives police forces the ability to exchange data on eight road traffic offences - speeding, non-use of a seat-belt, failing to stop at a red traffic light, drink-driving, driving under the influence of drugs, failing to wear a crash helmet, use of a forbidden lane and illegally using a mobile telephone.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27293493

There is a much more detailed article here

http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/03/21/...59_504010.html

Good, Crazy here, getting worse than the UK

Don't they have a Spanish Clarkson to fight for the drivers.

In saying that I have been pulled up 6 times, 2 for wrong way down a one way street, twice on one night by the Guardia, they was not interested in drink driving just what I had in the car, Speeding in a van again by Guardia just let me go with a warning and then once for no seatbelt which I got a 100€ fine for !

Lucky so far

[QUOTE=Patrick2976;11251638]...or the incessant tailgating on the motorways, hogging of the middle lane and of course the need for a crystal ball at roundabouts.....[/QUOTE]

Whilst gazing into your crystal ball you could be done for due care and attention or on the other hand you may see the lottery numbers and the fines would not matter.

Rosemary

Regarding point 9 - I always thought it was law that foreign vehicles had to be registered in Spain within 6 months anyway......

Yes, but under this by the looks of it, if the guardia THINK they see you not wearing a seatbelt, then you can be prosecuted / fined without being stopped

Yes, terrible, Ill find out more tomorrow, In my Spanish classes, I have been partnered up with a Guardia Civil officer, and (re other thread on depresents) a Chemist at Alicante University.

I have already asked some questions RE my car, but I need to get on with him better first, he is a big fella, stinks of smoke, and he does not like saying 'please' and 'thank you' but he is a human and there is good and bad in everyone, I just hate all Police in general, the bloody teacher is a ex copper too

That is correct, but the new law makes reference to the fact that they must be re-registered but any changes to this law have yet to be agreed.

In other words, no change yet.

you are attending Spanish lessons I understand
but why would a GC officer and a Chemist be attending

Its a English Spanish classes, so once you get a good comprehension of it, they mix you with those that want to learn English

Im not happy about Guardias learning English though, they will practice by pulling over Brits, some deservedly.

He does not understand to say 'sign here please' 'FIRMA AQUI' is what he perfers, lol

some times it does not work out where Ill see them as we all do different work, have to adjust times of lessons, which they are quite easy about, I think if they have 2 people at the same time its double money for the teacher.

that's why we have such trouble - they can be as abrupt as the Germans and always seem to leave Please and Thank You at home.