In a move designed to stop people from being distracted while driving, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has increased the penalty to six points on your driver’s licence.
Punishable offenses include texting, Whatsapp, speaking while holding the phone in your hand, opening a drink, lighting a cigarette or touching your car’s navigation screen.
These new rules have come about after it was discovered that distraction cause more accidents than driving at excessive speeds or under the influence of alcohol.
According to a statement issued, acting Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the new changes will soon become a part of Spain’s traffic laws.
This summer, Guardia Civil Traffico will enlist 12 helicopters to help catch drivers talking on their mobile phones, as well as 11 drones and a number or unmarked vehicles.