Driving in Spain -
Drinking and driving
The penalties for driving a
vehicle whilst under the
effects of alcohol
are very severe in
Spain and
no different to
any other
country, although the legal limits can differ slightly from country to country. In Spain, the standard penalty for
driving with
excess alcohol
in your system includes a
statutory minimum
period of 12
months driving ban
and a fine or a prison sentence. |
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| Here are
rough quotes from
Spanish
legislation;
Artícle
379
A person
who is
found
driving a
motor
vehicle
under the
influence
of toxic
drugs
or
alcoholic
beverages
will be
sentenced to imprisonment from three
to eight
months or
a fine
and, in
all cases,
a driving
licence
ban
from one
to four
years.
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Artícle
380
A person
who
refuses to
agree to
legally
established
tests for
the
purpose of
verifying
the facts
of article 379
will be
charged
with an
offence of
grave
disobedience.
Article
381
A person
who
driving a
motor
vehicle
with
blatant
carelessness
causes a
serious
danger to
the lives
of people
will be
sentenced
from 6
months to
2 years,
and a
driving
licence
ban
from one
to six
years.
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Drinking and driving never mix all over the world, so if you need alcoholism help, then get yourself treated before you ever get behind the wheel of any car. |
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In Spain the current (Dec 2009) legal limit of alcohol is 0.5g/l blood and 0.25mg/l breath for normal drivers. For professional drivers the limit is reduced to 0.5g and 0.15g respectively.
Drink driving is a major problem in Spain and the country's record of road safety and mortal accidents is one of the worst in Europe. According to government figures, alcohol causes between 30% and 50% deaths in Spanish road accidents. There's probably little wonder considering the number of bars at the roadside and the Spanish laid back attitude.
At Christmas time the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) announce tough new measures to combat drink-driving.
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What to
do if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol:
If you
are
involved
in a roadside breath test, you
will want
to behave
appropriately
and appear
to be as
sober as
possible.
Let the
police
do their
job and
show
them respect.
Your
responses
will be
mentioned
in any
court
appearance.
Unfortunately, as a foreigner you will need the assistance of a Spanish lawyer.
When choosing a lawyer, make sure that the lawyer is registered and ask for references. Unfortunately in Spain, especially on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca NOT ALL LAWYERS can be trusted. Some don't care about their clients and are merely looking for a quick fee (usually a very high one). [from our own experiences].
The message is quite simple: Don't even think about driving after drinking |
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See more about driving licences in
Spain here
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