Tourists heading to Spain for their summer holidays have been warned of a little-known driving rule that could see them hit with a fine and points on their licence.
Many Brits jet off to the popular destination to take advantage of the stunning beaches and scorching weather - but if you're planning to drive around Spain, there are some things to make sure you're aware of. There are a few key differences when it comes to driving in Spain compared to the UK, including the fact that vehicles are driven on the right hand side of the road and speed limits are in kilometres rather than miles per hour.
But there's also a common pitfall when it comes to dress code behind the wheel: driving shirtless in Spain, no matter how hot it may be, can land you with a fine of up to €200 and three penalty points. This is because it could be considered a risk or distraction on the road, with Spanish law stating that anything falling into this category can potentially be sanctioned, WalesOnline reports.
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Andrew Jervis, CEO of leading online mechanic marketplace ClickMechanic, said: "It's fairly common to see motorists in the UK remove their shirts to cool down during hot weather. But we need to remember that laws in other countries are not always the same and I'd urge people to be aware of what’s legal and illegal when they get behind the wheel somewhere new.
"In Spain, traffic police consider driving shirtless to be a threat to your safety and your ability to move, which means it is against the law to strip off your top half," he added. "When travelling abroad it's essential to respect the local rules and regulations, even if they seem very different to what we’re used to at home."
While the punishment can vary depending on the individual police officer, it can range from a fine of €80 to a fine of €200 and three penalty points. In the same vein, driving while wearing flip flops can also land those guilty in hot water for the same reason.
In 2018, Spanish law enforcement agency Guardia Civil issued a warning that when translated into English said: "A fine for driving with flip flops? Yes, believe it, they can penalise you when the conduct impedes the freedom of movement of the driver or the control of the vehicle and thereby jeopardises the safety of the road."
The punishment is left to the discretion of the individual officer, meaning motorists may just escape with a telling-off if they are lucky. Other common reasons for receiving a fine in the summer months include driving with your elbow out of the window, or your passenger putting their feet up on the dashboard, according to Spanish publication Murcia Today.
Any tourists planning to cycle around the sights in Spain instead also need to be aware of a law that could similarly see them fined up to €200. It is against the law to cycle while wearing earphones in the country, due to the safety risk this could pose to both the cyclist and other road users by compromising their ability to listen to traffic.
A number of new road rules were introduced in Spain this year, including laws on overtaking, parking and right of way. You can read more about driving laws Spanish holidaymakers need to know if they want to avoid being hit with hefty fines here.
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