Traffic changes to be borne in mind in 2019

Being well informed about the latest changes affecting our daily routines is essential to optimise fleets’ and drivers’ resources and work. 2019 has brought many modifications that have already been implemented and that are going to be explained in this article.

These are some of the changes that the Spanish Directorate General for Traffic (DGT) has made in its general traffic rules for 2019:

• The companies will be provided with data regarding the penalty points of hired drivers. The express consent of workers for their penalty points to be known is, therefore, withdrawn.
• Higher penalty for the use of mobile phones while driving. While the penalty imposed used to be of three points, now it has been doubled, sanctioning those using their phones with six penalty points. The amount to be paid remains the same, though, EUR 200. Thus, this penalty is put on the same level as that for reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or doubling the maximum permitted blood alcohol content, among other.
• Higher fines for exceeding the speed limit. Since last 2 January, driving at 80 km/hour in roads limited to 30 km/hour will entail a fine of EUR 500 and six penalty points, and will be considered as a serious infringement. Since the same date, the speed limit in secondary roads is reduced 10 km/hour, setting the maximum speed at 90 km/hour, 80km/hour for lorries, buses and vans.

• Not using a seatbelt will be sanctioned with four penalty points, one more than before the change in legislation.