Spain Driving Warning: Guardia Civil Reveals The Everyday Habits That Cause Crashes

Most drivers presume nan biggest threat connected nan roadworthy is speeding aliases alcohol. But Spain’s postulation constabulary opportunity nan reality is different. According to nan Guardia Civil Traffic Division, nan main origin of roadworthy accidents successful Spain is still driver distraction – and it’s not ever astir mobile phones.

While smartphones stay nan astir communal distraction detected by postulation officers, authorities opportunity galore accidents are besides linked to mundane habits drivers seldom deliberation about. Checking nan GPS, searching successful nan mitt compartment, eating while driving aliases moreover arguing pinch passengers tin each return attraction distant from nan roadworthy for conscionable a fewer seconds — sometimes agelong capable to origin a crash.

For nan millions of residents and expats who thrust regularly crossed Spain’s roads – from engaged metropolis streets to coastal motorways – nan informing is simple: moreover a little distraction down nan instrumentality tin quickly move dangerous.

Mobile phones stay nan biggest distraction connected Spanish roads

There’s nary uncertainty that mobile phones proceed to beryllium nan number 1 rumor for postulation authorities.

In 1 caller analysis, nan Guardia Civil examined much than 404,000 vehicles, and mobile telephone usage was nan astir communal distraction recorded by officers.

The consequence is easy to underestimate. Looking down astatine a telephone for conscionable a fewer seconds whitethorn not look for illustration much, but astatine motorway speeds it tin mean travelling dozens of metres without decently watching nan road.

Because of nan dangers involved, Spain strengthened its postulation laws successful 2022, introducing stricter penalties for mobile telephone usage while driving.

Today, drivers tin person a €200 good and suffer six points from their licence simply for holding a mobile telephone successful their manus while driving — moreover if they are not actively utilizing it.

Authorities opportunity nan norm is intentionally strict because phone-related distractions person go 1 of nan astir predominant causes of accidents connected Spanish roads.

The distractions galore drivers ignore

However, postulation officers accent that mobile phones are only portion of nan problem.

In a caller consciousness run shared connected societal media, nan Guardia Civil highlighted respective communal behaviours that besides distract drivers, moreover if they look harmless astatine first glance.

One of nan astir predominant examples is adjusting nan GPS while driving.

Modern vehicles progressively trust connected touchscreen systems for navigation, ambiance controls and entertainment. While these features are convenient, they besides promote drivers to interact pinch nan surface while nan car is moving.

Ideally, a rider should grip these adjustments. But erstwhile personification is driving alone, moreover a speedy pat connected nan surface tin mean taking your eyes disconnected nan roadworthy astatine nan incorrect moment.

Traffic officers opportunity they regularly spot drivers distracted by mini actions specified as:

• Opening nan mitt compartment to hunt for something
• Eating aliases drinking while driving
• Looking astatine a mobile telephone mounted connected a dashboard holder
• Turning astir to speak to passengers
• Arguing aliases becoming distracted during conversations wrong nan car

None of these actions whitethorn look superior connected their own. But nan Guardia Civil warns that a fewer seconds of mislaid attraction is often capable for an mishap to occur.

Why accidents often hap connected short journeys

Another important item highlighted by postulation authorities is wherever accidents thin to happen.

Many drivers presume crashes are much apt during agelong motorway journeys. In reality, a ample number of accidents hap during short, acquainted trips.

This mightiness beryllium nan regular thrust to work, a speedy travel to nan supermarket aliases a regular schoolhouse run.

Because drivers cognize nan way well, they often consciousness much relaxed and little alert. That familiarity tin create a mendacious consciousness of security.

It’s during these regular journeys that group are astir apt to cheque their phone, set nan power aliases scope for thing successful nan car.

But postulation conditions tin alteration successful seconds – a pedestrian crossing, abrupt braking aliases unexpected postulation tin look astatine immoderate moment.

For expats surviving successful Spain, this is peculiarly important. Many world residents thrust often betwixt coastal towns, residential areas and adjacent cities, often utilizing roads they recreation each day.

Even erstwhile nan way feels predictable, authorities opportunity drivers should stay afloat focused.

What penalties drivers tin face

Spanish postulation rule allows authorities to good drivers for a assortment of distractions down nan wheel.

As mentioned earlier, holding aliases utilizing a mobile telephone while driving carries a €200 good and nan nonaccomplishment of six points from a driving licence.

Other distractions – specified arsenic eating, drinking, adjusting nan GPS aliases searching for objects successful nan conveyance – tin besides lead to fines.

In these cases, penalties typically scope betwixt €80 and €200, depending connected nan business observed by postulation officers.

Unlike telephone use, these offences usually do not consequence successful points being removed from nan licence, but authorities still dainty them earnestly because they trim driver attention.

Traffic constabulary emphasise that these fines are not only meant to punish drivers but besides to punctual them really quickly distractions tin lead to vulnerable situations.

A reminder that safe driving starts pinch attention

Despite years of roadworthy information campaigns crossed Spain, distracted driving remains 1 of nan astir communal causes of accidents.

Traffic authorities opportunity nan solution is straightforward: drivers must support their attraction afloat connected nan roadworthy astatine each times.

That intends mounting nan GPS earlier starting a journey, avoiding nan enticement to cheque messages and resisting nan impulse to multitask while driving.

For residents and expats alike, Spain’s roads are mostly safe – but only erstwhile drivers stay focused.

As nan Guardia Civil often reminds motorists, it only takes a fewer seconds of distraction for a regular travel to go a superior accident.