The text incorporates the elimination of the margin of 20 kilometers per hour when overtaking, the expulsion of electric scooters from the sidewalks and the obligation for drivers to wear a helmet
End of the journey. The Plenary of Congress has finally given the green light this Thursday to the bill that modifies the revised text of the Law on Traffic, Circulation of Motor Vehicles and Road Safety, after voting on the amendments introduced in the text by the Senate.
This is the nineteenth time that the law has been amended. The main changes that have been approved include a speed cut,
by removing the 20 km / h margin when overtaking on conventional roads; and an increase in the loss of points in certain situations. The new text will come into force three months after its publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE), except for some points that will do so immediately.
“In this country we could feel proud, for fifteen years, of having faced road safety, the safe system,” the Minister of the Interior has defended in Congress,
Fernando Grande-Marlaska. “In these fifteen years we have become the third country with the fewest deaths and serious injuries in Europe. But the time had come to reform, to enter the 21st century and to continue advancing, protecting the lives of our citizens »
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, this Thursday in the Congress of Deputies /
Speed clipping
In the parliamentary process of the Upper House, the Plenary of the Senate approved the controversial socialist amendment that eliminates the margin of 20 additional kilometers per hour (km / h) to overtake on conventional roads as defended by the PSOE. A cut that the opposition has criticized, calling it a “collection” measure, in the words of Óscar Gamazo, of the PP, who stated that the Government has turned the DGT into ”
your particular ATM”.
The speed cut has also been condemned by driving associations such as RACE: ”
It involves tripling the time to do the maneuver, and more than double the distance to travel in the opposite lane “, they have ensured in a statement.
On-site driving schools
Although in a previous procedure, the Senate also modified article 62 of the text sent by Congress, which allowed theoretical training ‘online’ for drivers and that the centers could have a single physical location with which to operate throughout Spain.
In this sense, the Plenary of the Upper House gave the go-ahead to a new additional provision that provides that, in order to obtain a driving license, “it may be established
awareness and sensitization courses, which can also be taught online as long as interaction is ensured through a virtual classroom «. The content and form of the same will be determined by regulation, after consulting road safety experts, as well as victims’ associations, as added.
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More points to deduct
Among the changes made to the text during the proceedings in the Senate, the approved transactional amendment also stands out, raising the points to be detracted from 4 to 6 for throwing objects that may cause fires or accidents, as well as on the road or in its vicinity. as for overtaking endangering or hindering cyclists or without leaving the minimum separation of 1.5 meters of distance.
The whole of the bill, which modifies the Traffic Law of 2015, aims to
aggravation of sanctions Planned for those behaviors that generate the greatest risk for driving, such as the use of a mobile phone at the wheel or the misuse of the safety and protection elements of the vehicle.
Thus, they increase from
3 to 6 points to detract in the case of carrying the mobile in hand and 3 to 4 for not wearing a seat belt. The same penalty of 200 euros is maintained.
The Law introduces another novelty in this regard:
2 points of the card can be recovered for the completion of safe and efficient driving courses. A Ministerial order will develop the necessary requirements and the conditions that must be met.
Scooter helmet
Personal mobility vehicles (scooters) and bicycles and cycles
they will not be able to circulate on the sidewalks. The exceptions to be determined shall be established by regulation. ‘ In addition, the driver of a personal mobility vehicle will be obliged to wear a protective helmet.
Radar detection
The new law also replaces the serious offense consisting of “using” radar or cinemometer detection mechanisms for the mere fact of “carrying” these devices in the vehicle. The new offending type maintains the loss of 3 points that was assigned to the previous offense.
The norm opens the door to regulate alcohol and drug controls for professional drivers, and that immobilizer breathalyzers are mandatory in goods transport vehicles from July 6, 2022.
Zero alcohol rate in young people
On the other hand, minors will have a zero rate of alcohol as drivers of any vehicle, a novelty incorporated in the Senate.
Restrictions in Low Emission Zones
Another novelty is that a new serious offense is introduced, with a 200 euro amount for not respecting the traffic restrictions derived from the application of the protocols in the event of pollution episodes and low emission areas.
Wireless devices for motorcyclists
The use of certified or approved wireless devices is authorized for use in the protective helmet of motorcycle and moped drivers, for communication or navigation purposes, as long as it does not affect driving safety.
Cheat on exams
It is introduced, as an offense with
500 euros penalty, use intercommunication devices not authorized by regulation in the tests for obtaining and recovering driving permits or licenses or other administrative authorizations to drive or collaborate or assist with the use of said devices.
In addition, the applicant will not be able to present himself again to the tests to obtain the permit within a period of 6 months.
Autonomous driving
For the first time, reference to the automated vehicle is included in Spanish legislation, in several articles of the Traffic Law.
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