Holidaymakers planning a trip to Spain are being warned they could face a hefty £400 fine while driving in the European country. Motorists are being urged to familiarise themselves with the local road laws, or risk an unexpected dent in their holiday budget.
According to new research by Kia, which analysed popular road trip destinations, many travellers are heading to cities across the UK, Spain, Slovakia, Italy, and North Macedonia this autumn. And the car manufacturer’s experts said it is “vital” to understand specific rules before setting off.
For instance, in Spain, drivers can be slapped with a £400 fine for throwing objects from a vehicle that could potentially cause a fire or accident – a significantly higher penalty than the £150 fine imposed in the UK. Meanwhile, while all EU countries enforce strict drink-driving laws, some also apply these rules to passengers.
In North Macedonia, front-seat passengers must also be sober; if found to be under the influence, the driver could face penalties or immediate fines, depending on the severity of the situation. Over in Slovakia, it’s compulsory to fit your vehicle with winter tyres from 15 November to 31 March due to snowy, icy, and frosty road conditions.
Failure to do so could result in a fine of around 60 euros. And in Italy, overtaking is strictly forbidden in high-risk areas such as level crossings on bends, at the crest of a hill, at junctions, and where visibility is limited.
These restrictions aim to reduce accidents in places where the risk is highest.