New drink driving laws could be enforced in Spain by the end of this year and will apply to cyclists and e-scooter riders.
The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) proposed regulations that would apply to all drivers in the popular holiday destination, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.
A new universal limit has been suggested to be 0.2g/l alcohol in blood or 0.1 mg/l in breath.
The low proposed limits make it difficult for drivers to have any alcohol to remain under the restrictions.
Those who don’t follow the rules could find themselves facing serious consequences under Spanish law.
Fines are often between €500 (£435) to €1,000 (£871) for driving when exceeding the legal limit but below criminal restrictions.
However, this varies based on the amount of alcohol, and drivers who have been caught out multiple times could be hit with higher fines.
Drivers in Spain follow a 12-point system on their license and could lose points as a consequence, too.
The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) proposed regulations that would apply to all drivers in Spain
Anyone who refuses to go ahead with a breathalyser test could face action and it is seen as a criminal offense that could lead to a driving ban for between one to four years.
They could also be served a six month to one year prison sentence.
In Spain, there is a specific alcohol level that, if reached, falls under a criminal offence and is dealt with seriously.
More than 1.2 g/l of alcohol in blood or 0.60 mg/l in exhaled air can lead to prison for three to six months, a driving ban for between one to four years, community service and a fine.
Drivers in Spain and other European destinations should be aware of a range of rules to follow on the road.
A national survey by The Motor Ombudsman revealed over 70 per cent of UK drivers are unaware of some mandatory road requirements when driving to Spain and France.
Some 59 per cent of drivers admitted they did not know it’s mandatory in many European countries to carry emergency equipment, such as high-vis jackets and warning triangles, while driving.
In France, drivers who cannot produce these items on request can incur a fine of up to €750.
A new universal limit has been suggested to be 0.2g/l alcohol in blood or 0.1 mg/l in breath
Additionally, 30 per cent of respondents said they were unaware of sat-navs, speed camera detectors and similar apps are illegal in some European countries.
In Spain, drivers risk a fine of up to €6,000 if they’re caught with such apps installed on their devices, and in France, their vehicles could potentially get confiscated.
Meanwhile, 70 per cent of survey participants admitted being either unsure or uninformed of environment rules regarding pre-purchased windscreen stickers for low-emission zones.
In Germany, this can result in a fine of up to €80, and in France, a fine of up to €135.
