Fines planned for tourist drivers

MALAGA has set up plans to collect fines from the infractions of foreign drivers.

Between 18 and 20 per cent of the fines imposed in Marbella are given to foreign tourists. This corresponds to about 2,500 and 3,000 fines, and with an average charge of €100 per fine, this amounts to around €3 million each year.

Councillor for Traffic and Transport, Felix Romero, said: “This money just vanishes because it is impossible to reach the traffic violators.”

Felix Romero explained that due to this problem, not only are the municipal coffers getting emptier, but also the deterrent is not accomplished.

Also he added that it is customary among tourists to alert their compatriots that “nothing happens” because, in the end, they won’t have to pay the fine.

The plan was announced on Tuesday September 2 by the council of Málaga to make it easier for the town halls to locate non-permanent foreign residents and enable the effective collection of these fines.

Other Spanish regions, such as Mallorca, are already developing similar measures, which has allowed the recovery of around 50 per cent of lost revenues.