Changes to Speeding Laws in Spain 2009

With the relaxed way of life over here in Spain it isa Police Officer will often pass on a few words of
rare to be in such a hurry to reach a destination thatwarning for small indiscretions in Spain it the same
you need to speed. An appointment at 4pm in Spainoffence will almost certainly result in a fine, your car
could mean anytime between 3:30 and 5pm. In mywill also receive a thorough going over and your
line of business snagging properties for new homepaperwork will be forensically checked and if not in
purchasers on the Costa Blanca, Calida and Murcia Iorder a further fine will be forthcoming.
am always working to a deadline, but I am often leftGUARDIA Civil officers are clamping down on
with the impression I am the only one who is! Withspeeding motorists by installing cameras in unmarked
Spanish breakfast at 10am, lunch between 2 and 5cars. They have purchased around 800 Citroën C3,
and evening meals from 9pm, the Spanish way of lifeC4 and C5 vehicles, which house speed cameras.
and the business schedule of northern Europe rarelyThese are noticeable by the slightly deformed
match.nearside rear door.
In a similar fashion to the UK the main culprits ofAt present, speed cameras do not detect drivers
speeding are the young gung-ho and the reps, but upuntil they travel at 141 km's per hour. But this is set
until now the Spanish authorities have been veryto change with the Dirección General de Tráfico
generous with the advanced warnings of the veryreducing this to 133 km's per hour. Whilst travelling at
few speed cameras o the motorways wit hugea speed of between 133 and 152 km's per hour does
matrix gantries warning of the approaching camera,not cause points to be deducted from the motorist's
perhaps this is a warning as to the direction thelicense, it can attract fines ranging from 100 to 120
government are taking towards the motorist; letseuros.
pray that they do not become as draconian as theBut motorists who are caught driving at 153 km's per
UK government!hour on a motorway, or 71 km's per hour in a built-up
Spanish police now are taking action followingarea, will lose points. A total of six points will be lost if
unfavourable press regarding the accident statisticsdrivers are found to be travelling at 199 km's per
on Spanish roads and starting to enforce the speedhour on the motorway, or 91 km's per hour on an
limit with a little more determination. Although theurban road. Speeds that attract a point deduction can
limits stated below look a lot more lenient than in thecarry fines of between 150 and 600 euros.
UK, when enforced there is no grey area. In the UKYou have been warned!