Speed limits on motorways could be increased in Spain

The General Traffic Department (DGT) is reviewing the possibility of increasing the speed limit on motorways.

The proposals have been submitted to put the speed limit up to 130 kilometres per hour on motorways but on secondary roads it could be lowered to 70 or even 50 kilometres per hour, with signs differentiating limits applicable to motorbikes, lorries and three-wheeled vehicles.

The higher limit will be applied where road maintenance is good and if weather conditions permit it without danger. Built-up areas could see limits as low as 20 or 30 kilometres per hour rather than the current 50 kilometres.

Fatalities involving pedestrians in towns, and crashes on secondary roads are much higher in number than those in high-speed motorway pile-ups, the DGT reveals.

Speed camera detectors could also be made illegal. Cars with in-built detectors warning of speed cameras could become illegal, even where these do not interfere with the camera signals.

At present, it is only against the law to fit devices that block speed camera signals so that these do not capture details and speed of the car.

But some vehicles carry detectors which do not affect the camera, but warn the driver to slow down when there is one coming up, these may now be made illegal.

Seatbelts in all seats will become compulsory with no exceptions. At the moment it is obligatory except in cases of people with a certificate of exemption for serious medical reasons, serious medical emergency or disabled people who cannot physically wear a belt, delivery drivers, taxi drivers and passengers, and passengers in emergency vehicles such as ambulances. The reforms could mean that all of these would now be expected to wear a seatbelt.

Babies and children under four would be required to use specially adapted seating and sit facing the opposite way to the direction of travel, and children under 18 with a height of 1.35 metres or shorter will not be allowed to travel in the front seat to prevent the serious injuries that can be caused in the event of an accident.