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 Daily news from the Canaries and the islands' biggest English language newspaper on-line Drive carefully New radars, new rules From the beginning of 2010 the Spanish department of traffic will introduce new fixed distance speed traps, which are to be placed in traffic black spots throughout the country.  At the moment there is no indication from the department of traffic as to exactly when or where the new radar will be installed in the Canary Islands. Changes in existing regulations will also see a uniform application of (fixed) fines, regardless of which authority is imposing the sanction, and a 50 per cent reduction (as opposed to 30 per cent) in the event of prompt payment of said fines. Guardia Civil traffic officers will also carry a technology allowing drivers to pay on the spot fines by credit card if they so wish. The government have also just approved new points reductions (see chart on this page) as well as introducing higher fines for certain crimes – for instance possession of radar detection equipment which previously carried a fine of €150 could now see you €6,000 worse off. Hang up Mobiles as dangerous as drink driving Between now and November 22nd the department of traffic will run a campaign aimed at discouraging drivers from using their mobile phones while driving. There will be a series of TV and radio ads as well as increased vigilance by police on roads throughout Spain designed to alert people to the dangers of talking on the phone while behind the wheel of a car. According to the department inappropriate use of your phone while driving increases by four the risk of an accident – similar to driving under the influence of alcohol. There is also, say the experts, a false perception that use of the hands free apparatus means there is no distraction – evidence shows that a driver involved in a conversation of over a minute and a half will have reduced levels of concentration. Studies show this could lead to a 40 per cent reduction in attention to road signs, speed drops by up to 12 per cent, the heart rate accelerates rapidly during the phone call and reaction times are slower, “behavioural traits that combined could lead to an accident”.The survey also showed that people are more likely to use their phones while driving during the afternoon and weekends. New points reduction chart The following are the new points reductions as passed recently by the Spanish government. 6 points • Driving under the influence of alcohol: 50mg/l private drivers, +25mg/l professionals and drivers with less than two years experience • Driving under the influence of drugs • Refusing to take drink/drug test • Driving carelessly, in the wrong direction, taking part in illegal road races/competitions • Using or carrying instruments that would inhibit traffic officers, such as radar inhibitors • Exceeding commercial transport driving time by over 50 per cent/resting for less than 50 per cent of established time • Manipulation/participation in the manipulation of a tachograph 4 points • Driving under the influence of alcohol: 25mg/l – 50mg/l private drivers, 15mg/l – 30mg/l professionals and drivers with less than two years experience • Driving with a licence inappropriate for the vehicle • Throwing onto the road objects with could ignite a fire, cause traffic accidents, impede free circulation of traffic • Ignore give way or stop signs or traffic light signals • Ignore norms regarding overtaking on roads thus placing other drivers in danger, overtaking where there is reduced visibility • Endangering/hindering cyclists during overtaking • Reversing on a motorway • Ignoring a traffic officer’s instructions/signals • Failure to leave appropriate braking distance between you and the vehicle in front • Driving on motorways in vehicles that are not licenced for these roads • Driving a car exceeding by more than 50 per cent the allowed number of passengers, except for buses in urban/inter-urban areas 3 points • Wearing headgear/headphone while driving or using a hand held mobile phone, navigator or other medium of communication. (This list may be updated in line with technological advances) • Failure to wear seatbelt, use child seats or other protective apparatus where appropriate • Making illegal u-turns; Failure to comply with mandatory traffic signs at junctions/u-turn points • Driving a vehicle that is not licenced to be on the road/that you are not permitted to drive 2 points • Stopping or parking on bends, in tunnels, intersections or other dangerous areas which would cause a risk to the flow of traffic and pedestrians • Stopping or parking in zones designated for public transport • Driving without lights when it is obligatory or failure to use lights in accordance with regulations • Driving a motorbike/scooter with passengers under 12 years of age (some exceptions apply) • Driving in a negligent manner, creating risks for other road users • Speeding. The amount of points to be deducted depends on the speed limits exceeded and by how much This article appears in the print edition 604 of Island Connections
| Canary Islands - 08.02.2012 - Yesterday's ugly scenes at Bilbao airport, where Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary had to be given a police escort after his provocation of former Spanair employees, prompted a furious reaction against the head of the airline by Canarian MP Ana Oramas. more... Las Palmas - 08.02.2012 - The snags preventing the release of tickets for the concert by rock legend Bruce Springsteen in Gran Canaria have now been resolved and the gig has been confirmed 100%, say the organisers. more... La Laguna - 07.02.2012 - A well-known Tenerife lawyer is the focus of police attention in a money-laundering and fraud investigation ordered by a La Laguna judge. more... Canary Islands - 07.02.2012 - Relations between the Canarian government and the new Spanish government sank further yesterday when the region's tourism minister was apparently snubbed by his national counterpart. more... Canary Islands - 07.02.2012 - Two Britons who had to be rescued again after getting into trouble on their bid to cross the Atlantic in a pedal boat could face a hefty fine for the latest mobilisation of air and sea rescue resources. more...    Banish the blues They tell us that this is one of the most depressing times of the year more...   | Elektrische Zigarette Neue Geschmacksrichtungen als gefüllte Depots für die Elektrische Zigarette www.elektrische-zigarette.eu Rent a car Tenerife We have been in the rent a car business since 1976 in Tenerife. Our experience - your advantage. www.hermanns-cars.com Electronic Cigarette The Electronic Cigarette SLIM is recommended for smokers with few consume, occasional smokers and to go. www.liquid-shop.eu Real Estate Tenerife Tenerife Real Estate is your partner on Tenerife for penthouses, properties, fincas or business-pubs for the purchase and sale of villas, chalets, houses, appartements. www.teneriffa-immobilien.es ic media group |
