New hidden cameras lead to a 15% increase in fines for driving offences
The number of fines handed out to drivers has soared since the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) introduced more ‘hidden’ traffic cameras on the roads in Spain. A recent report by the Automovilistas Europeos Asociados (AEA) showed that the DGT issued 5,542,178 fines in 2022, totalling 500 million euros, an increase of 15.6% on the fines handed out in 2021 (4,793,520).
The number one reason for a fine remained speeding, which represented 66% of all fines, while driving without a license, not wearing a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone while driving, made up over 15% of all fines.
However, there was a drop in the number of fines issued for driving under the influence of drugs of over 48%, and the number of those using mobiles decreased by 13% and reckless driving by 3%.
The AEA also warned of a worrying increase in the number of sanctions issued for driving over the permitted alcohol limit, with an increase of 51.8% in 2021, to 85,130 cases in 2022.
The report shows that fines increased in 2022 compared to the previous year in Andalucía (+42.8%); Extremadura (+32.3%); Cantabria (+26.3%); La Rioja (+24.7%); Madrid (+21.2%); Balearic Islands (+18.1%), Valencia (+18%); Ceuta and Melilla (+13.2%); Castile-La Mancha (+9.2%); Galicia (+1.3%) and the Canary Islands (+0.9%).
Seat belts are mandatory on Spanish roads for all the occupants of the vehicle, whether in the front or back, and the speed limits are 120 km/h on dual carriageways and motorways, 50, 60, or 90 km/h on all other roads as indicated, and 30 km/h in built-up areas.
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