British tourists warned as Canary Islands planning major change for drivers
Motorists planning to get behind the wheel when on holiday in Spain have been urged to take care following calls to clamp down on drink driving.
Brits travelling to Spain on holiday may soon need to be more careful when getting behind the wheel, else they face significant fines and other consequences.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Head of the Interior Ministry for Spain, has called for a lower blood alcohol tolerance for motorists in a bid to cut the number of casualties and deaths on the roads.
Speaking at a Forum Europe breakfast meeting, Mr Grande-Marlaska stated that the "Spanish society is ready" for tighter regulations surrounding drink driving.
In particular, the Head of the Interior Ministry aims to lower the drink driving limit to 0.2 grammes of alcohol per litre of blood, less than half the standard level currently enforced in the country.
The new tolerance level would put Spain in line with a number of other EU countries, such as Iceland, Poland, and Sweden, and would be four times as strict as they currently are in the UK.
Whilst some drivers have argued that the proposed measures are severe, Fernando Grande-Marlaska highlighted the need to take action in order to cut the number of casualties on the road.
Despite figures steadily falling since 2005, 1,815 people were killed in road traffic accidents in Spain during 2022.
Of these, Mr Grande-Marlaska stated that around half were caused by a road user who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Currently, the penalties for drink driving in Spain depend on how much alcohol is in the offending motorist's blood, with those who have between 0.25 and 0.5 milligrams per litre being issued a fine of €500 (£422) and four points on their driving licence.
However, in more extreme cases, motorists can face an unlimited fine, a driving ban of up to four years, and over six months in prison.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska did not state whether he thinks these punishments should be altered if the laws surrounding drink driving are made more stringent.
Whilst the calls to cut down on drink driving in Spain are notable, particularly for Brits looking to spend time behind the wheel of a vehicle whilst on holiday there, the measures would not be the strictest.
In Europe, the Czech Republic is currently the only nation to have a zero tolerance stance on drink driving, with drivers fined at least 25,000 crowns (£838) for having any alcohol in their system.
A law that has been enforced since 1953, most residents now consider drink driving to be unacceptable for locals and tourists alike.
