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By Carolyn Melian
Spain has taken longer than most other European
countries to introduce a drink drive law, but it is now in place,
so imbibers beware! Couple these rules with the fact that many Andalusian
roads require your undivided attention, and you can be sure that
drink driving is no joke in these parts.
It's a well-known fact that when it comes to alcohol,
everyone has their own particular level of tolerance, although -
given their smaller frame and slower metabolic rate - women often
come off worse. And you don't need to have been drinking all night
to trigger a positive response if you're "breathalysed".
A shared bottle of wine with your dinner, followed by 'one for the
road' in a piano bar, and you could only too easily find yourself
over the limit.
Routine Test
In fact, if you're driving home at 3am on a Sunday morning, even
if your traffic skills are exemplary, it's more likely than not
that the Guardia Civil will pull you over as a matter of course
and ask you to take a breath test. If it proves positive, retribution
- though not swift - is certain!
It may take six months before you receive a registered
letter informing you that you have 15 days in which to pay a fine
of maybe 450 Euros (reduced by 30% for swift payment). During this
time you are allowed to continue driving. Your Lawyer or Gestor
may be able to represent you, but if not, and if you don't speak
Spanish, it is advisable to take an interpreter with you when you
go to the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico.
Driving Ban
When you receive notification of your fine, you will also probably
be informed that your driving license will be suspended for a month.
If having wheels is vital to you, perhaps because of your job, you
can plead your case in writing - substantiated by as much legal
documentation as possible - when perhaps three months later you
receive another registered letter in connection with the suspension.
Another three months or so, and you'll receive a
further notification informing you of the outcome of your plea.
Although the one-month ban is not negotiable, you may be able to
divide it into two 15-day periods, or even four 7-day periods (you
can choose the dates to suit you best), but you'll have to forfeit
two additional days for the privilege.
Replacement License
The period(s) during which you are not permitted
to drive will be noted on the back of your driving license, but
once your penance
is complete, you can take a new set of photographs to the Jefatura
Provincial de Tráfico and they will issue you with a 'clean'
replacement license.
Driving while banned will result in a fine of between
94 and 1,503 Euros (year 2003 examples), together with a further
suspension for one year. And if you are foolish enough to try to
get away with it a second time, your driving license will be permanently
withdrawn… definitely not a risk worth taking.
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