Agency gives gas on speed limit reforms
People will be able to drive faster on some of Spain's motorways if a new draft law by Spain's traffic authority gets the go-ahead.
If the new draft traffic rules get the green light, speed limits on parts of Spain's motorway network could be bumped up 10 kilometres per hour to 130 kph (118 miles per hour), Europa Press reported on Thursday.
On secondary roads, however, the speed limit could come down to 90 kph, from the current 100 kph.
There traffic agency is also looking at bringing down limits to anywhere from 50 to 70 kph if the roads in question are narrower than 6.5 metres.
The law that is still under discussion would also see urban driving speeds coming down to 30 kph one-way streets, or even 20 kph if there is only one footpath.
The proposed rules would also make radar detectors illegal and do away with a seat belt regime which allows disabled people or people with serious illnesses to travel without doing up their seat belts.
Those taxi drivers, delivery men and emergency service vehicles who are also currently exempt from buckling up on certain roads will have to adapt their habits.
The rules would also put a stop to children shorter than 135 centimetres travelling in the front seat of cars.
The policy changes are designed to reduce the risk of injuries and death on the road, reported Europa Press.
Spain has made great strides in road safety. In 2011, 2,116 died on the nation's roads. That was 9.4 percent lower than in 2010.
Over the last decade, deaths on Spain's roads fell by roughly a third, reported the country's national stats institute on February 27th.
Comments
See Also
If the new draft traffic rules get the green light, speed limits on parts of Spain's motorway network could be bumped up 10 kilometres per hour to 130 kph (118 miles per hour), Europa Press reported on Thursday.
On secondary roads, however, the speed limit could come down to 90 kph, from the current 100 kph.
There traffic agency is also looking at bringing down limits to anywhere from 50 to 70 kph if the roads in question are narrower than 6.5 metres.
The law that is still under discussion would also see urban driving speeds coming down to 30 kph one-way streets, or even 20 kph if there is only one footpath.
The proposed rules would also make radar detectors illegal and do away with a seat belt regime which allows disabled people or people with serious illnesses to travel without doing up their seat belts.
Those taxi drivers, delivery men and emergency service vehicles who are also currently exempt from buckling up on certain roads will have to adapt their habits.
The rules would also put a stop to children shorter than 135 centimetres travelling in the front seat of cars.
The policy changes are designed to reduce the risk of injuries and death on the road, reported Europa Press.
Spain has made great strides in road safety. In 2011, 2,116 died on the nation's roads. That was 9.4 percent lower than in 2010.
Over the last decade, deaths on Spain's roads fell by roughly a third, reported the country's national stats institute on February 27th.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.