New fines from the DGT in September

In this article, from November 2020, we already told you about the changes established by the reform of the traffic regulations, approved that same month by the Council of Ministers.

This package of changes had as its most important points the tightening of the penalty for carrying radar detectors, the courses to recover points, changes in the transport sector and more specific speed limits on urban roads (os We talk about this modification in this article).

An important change was also established that will affect driving considerably: exceeding the speed limit for overtaking is over.

Until now, and only to overtake, it was allowed to exceed the maximum speed by up to 20 km/h on a conventional road, except for crossings.

Now, in September, this section of the Traffic Law will be eliminated. In this way, in no case can the maximum speed of a conventional highway in the country be exceeded, not even to overtake.

This measure was already being applied in all the countries of the European Union and Spain finally incorporated it into its legislation as well. With it, the aim is to improve the safety of our roads, although there are voices that affirm the opposite, that the safe thing is to be able to exceed the speed of up to 20 km/h, as could be done until now.

Some voices, in media such as Diariomotor, oppose the change arguing that overtaking is safer the faster it is, the less time your vehicle spends in the opposite lane. You can read the article by Sergio Álvarez, DiarioMotor, in this article.

As of September, a fine of 100 euros is established for being stopped with the engine running.

Article 10 of the reform of the Traffic Law establishes the following: "Whoever drives must turn off the engine from the beginning of the parking lot, even when he remains inside the vehicle."

Logically there are exceptions such as when stopped at a traffic light or in traffic jams. Vehicles with 0 emissions classification are also exempt.

The loss of 3 to 6 points is established for carrying the mobile in your hand, even if you are not using it, while driving. If it is used, whether or not it is in hand, the penalty of 200 euros and 3 points is maintained.

In the use of the electric scooter, the obligation to wear a helmet is established, with a fine of 200 euros in case of not wearing it. Penalties of the same amount are also established for driving scooters using headphones or interacting with the mobile.