In March 2022, the new Traffic Law reform comes into force, with tougher penalties, removal of licence points and new fines. The aim is to reduce the number of road casualties.

That is why, from Ralarsa, as an automobile glass workshop, we want to answer all your questions about the reforms approved on 21 December 2021, so that you can anticipate them and not be caught off guard.

Remember that among our services you can find windscreen replacement, at-home glass repair and approved tinted windows. Visit Ralarsa, experts in car glass replacement, and choose excellent care for your car!

Get to know the new traffic regulations

The objective of this reform promoted from Europe is “Zero fatalities” by the year 2050. So, let’s take a look at the major changes that this DGT reform introduces, both in fines and rules:

  • Cars and motorbikes will not be allowed to exceed the speed limit by 20 km/h when overtaking on conventional roads. The DGT justifies this measure as a way to avoid head-on collisions, arguing that going faster does not make overtaking quicker or reduce the time spent in the opposite lane. On the contrary, the impact is stronger, and drivers have less reaction time. Any head-on collision can injure the driver and lead to the need to replace the windscreen.
  • Driving with a mobile phone in your hand will mean a penalty of six points. 34% of fatal accidents are due to distractions, and the mobile phone is one of the main causes. Until now, holding the phone in your hand meant losing 3 points and a €200 fine; with the new reform, it will be 6 points and the same monetary penalty.
  • Increase in penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt, not using a helmet, or not using child restraint systems. From the date the new law comes into force, this offence will mean 4 points instead of 3. The same sanction applies to those who do not wear a helmet, and to those who transport children under 1.35m without the appropriate child restraint system. The fine remains the same at €200.
  • Underage drivers of any permitted vehicle must not exceed an alcohol limit of 0.0. This applies to all underage drivers of any vehicle: motorbikes, mopeds, quad bikes, bicycles, personal mobility vehicles, etc.
  • More space when overtaking cyclists and mopeds, with more severe penalties for unsafe manoeuvres. The penalty points for putting cyclists or moped riders at risk – or not leaving the mandatory 1.5m minimum distance – increase from 4 to 6, with the same financial penalty of €200. On roads with more than one lane in each direction, motor vehicle drivers must change lanes to overtake cyclists or mopeds.
  • Throwing objects onto the road or its surroundings that could cause fires will result in more penalty points. It is considered a serious offence to endanger road safety in this way, so the points lost increase from 4 to 6, with the same €200 fine. Throwing objects on the road can damage other drivers’ vehicles and result in the need for windscreen replacement.
  • All points on the driving licence will be recovered after two years without offences. In addition, it will be possible to recover two points by taking a voluntary safe and efficient driving course, with two extra points available up to a maximum of 15. Furthermore, with this reform, after 2 years without any offences, a driver can recover the initial 12 points.
  • Mandatory alcohol interlock for starting passenger transport vehicles. All passenger transport vehicles must have a device that prevents the engine from starting if the driver’s alcohol level exceeds the permitted limit. This will be mandatory from 6 July 2022.
  • New serious offences for not respecting low emission zone restrictions. Failing to comply with restrictions derived from pollution control protocols and LEZ (Low Emission Zone) regulations will, from the entry into force of this new law, be subject to a €200 fine.
  • Changes for motorcyclists and penalties for cheating in points recovery or driving licence exams. Motorcyclists are authorised to use approved wireless devices in their helmets for communication and navigation purposes, provided they do not compromise safety. Lastly, one of the new measures is a penalty for cheating in exams to obtain or recover driving licences: a €500 fine, plus a minimum 6-month disqualification from retaking the exam.

We hope you have found this useful, and do not hesitate to contact Ralarsa, automobile glass workshop, for windscreen replacement, window repair, or whatever you need. Keeping your car in good condition extends its life. If you want to know more information like this, visit our blog and learn more about the DGT’s new reforms. See you at Ralarsa!