The Congress of Deputies has approved the reform of the Spanish Traffic Law and this legislation will come into effect one month after its publication in the Official State Bulletin (BOE).
Under the new law it will be mandatory for cyclists under 16 years of age to wear a crash helmet in cities. The wearing of crash helmets by cyclists on normal roads (outside cities) remains obligatory.
The period for voluntary payment of fines or to make appeals rises from 15 to 20 days. Those opting for this procedure have no right of appeal against the sanctions.
The fine for driving under the influence of drugs is doubled to €1,000. Driving under the influence of alcohol attracts a fine of €500 or €1,000 if the level of alcohol is double the permitted amount or for repeat offenders.
The authorities will have the possibility to raise the speed limit to 130 kph or down to 10 kph on certain roads, although the details of how this will be put into practice have yet to be finalised.
Radar detectors will be prohibited and infringements will attract a fine of up to €200 and the loss of three license points.
There are changes to the rules relating child restraints in vehicles including obligatory use by children under 1m 35.
There is also a new provision to comply with a European directive relating to the cross-border exchange of information regarding road traffic offences.