The Civil Guard Traffic Division is responsible for ensuring safety and reducing accidents on the roads of the Canary Islands and throughout Spain. To achieve this, they, along with the General Traffic Directorate, carry out surveillance campaigns at specific times to ensure that vehicles comply with established regulations.
Weekends, especially during public holidays, are days when more than 6 million long-distance journeys by road are expected.
No Alcohol or Drugs While Driving
In 2024, 214,825 drivers were penalised in the Canary Islands for violating traffic regulations. Among them, 6,231 tested positive for alcohol, a decrease from 6,698 in 2023, representing a reduction of 6.97% in penalties for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages.
In 2024, alcohol was a factor in 12% of accidents and was present in 28% of traffic incidents resulting in fatalities, with 273 associated cases.
The Benemérita reminds drivers planning to enjoy the May bank holiday that responsibility at the wheel is crucial to prevent holidays from being marred. They aim to appeal to drivers’ sense of responsibility during these festive days which see increased travel.
A breathalyser control / EP / Guardia Civil
Drivers Face Serious Penalties
The DGT reminds us that “the legal blood alcohol limit for novice and professional drivers is 0.15 mg/l in exhaled air. For all other drivers, it stands at 0.25 mg/l. Exceeding 0.60 mg/l constitutes a criminal offence. The presence of any other drugs in the body is also grounds for penalty.” However, “the only truly safe limit is 0.0 g/l.”
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is classified as a very serious infraction. Drivers found driving under such effects face fines ranging from €500 to €1,000 and the loss of 4 to 6 points from their driving licence, depending on the nature of the offence.
Traffic officers encourage drivers that if they drink, they should not drive, as not only is their life at risk, but also that of other road users. Precaution and responsibility are key to reducing accidents on the roads.
