Drivers Warned: The Phone Holder Mistake That Could Cost You €200 In Spain

It’s difficult to ideate getting down nan instrumentality these days without a smartphone wrong reach. Whether it’s checking unrecorded traffic, avoiding a jam, aliases simply pursuing directions to a caller restaurant, galore of america trust connected our phones arsenic mundane sat-navs.

And for those driving older cars without built-in screens, a telephone holder has go nan go-to solution.

But here’s nan catch: nan measurement you group up that small gadget could onshore you pinch a hefty good of up to €200, and successful immoderate cases, points disconnected your licence. That’s nan informing from Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), which has made it clear that not each mounts and not each positions are legal.

Why your windscreen could costs you

The rules are tucked distant successful Article 19 of Spain’s General Traffic Regulations. In plain terms, it says that nan windscreen and windows of a car must ever supply nan driver pinch a clear, unobstructed position of nan road. Nothing – whether it’s a sticker, a dangling aerial freshener, aliases your trusty telephone holder – should get successful nan way.

This intends that nan astir communal spot drivers use, correct successful nan mediate of nan windscreen, is really off-limits. The DGT insists that sticking your telephone location tin artifact portion of your section of vision, moreover if it seems insignificant to you. The aforesaid applies to telephone holders clipped to nan rear-view mirror, which not only adhd bulk to your statement of show but besides distract you each clip you set nan mirror.

And don’t moreover deliberation astir those quirky holders that connect straight to nan steering wheel. They mightiness look clever connected societal media ads, but successful reality, they tin screen your dashboard indicators and unit you to glimpse down while turning nan wheel—something some vulnerable and, yes, fine-worthy.

So wherever tin you put it? According to nan DGT, nan safest spots are:

• On nan dashboard, debased and to nan side.
• On nan cardinal console, provided it doesn’t interfere pinch nan controls.
• On nan aerial vents, which experts opportunity are among nan astir applicable and slightest risky options.

What fines and penalties look like

The DGT has surgery down precisely what you consequence depending connected really you usage your telephone connected nan road:

• €100 good if nan holder is judged to partially artifact visibility, moreover if you’re not rubbing nan phone.
• €200 good and 3 points if you’re caught handling nan instrumentality while driving.
• €200 good and six points if nan telephone is successful your manus while nan car is moving.

In practice, it often comes down to nan postulation officer’s interpretation. If they judge your telephone equine is obstructing your position aliases causing a distraction, you could find yourself pinch a ticket.

Motoring relation RACE has stepped successful to punctual drivers that simply utilizing a holder isn’t illegal. What matters is wherever it’s placed and really it’s used. If it compromises safety, that’s erstwhile nan fines footwear in.

The bigger picture: why DGT is cracking down

This isn’t conscionable a bureaucratic move. The DGT points retired that distractions are now nan number 1 origin of fatal roadworthy accidents successful Spain, overtaking some speeding and alcohol. And astatine nan bosom of those distractions? The mobile phone.

Even a speedy glimpse to set nan representation aliases cheque a notification is capable to return your eyes disconnected nan roadworthy for seconds that tin beryllium deadly. Experts counsel mounting up your GPS way earlier you commencement nan engine, and relying connected sound assistants aliases hands-free commands alternatively than reaching for nan surface while driving.

Spain’s roadworthy authorities are besides alert that galore drivers are still down nan instrumentality of older vehicles without built-in infotainment systems. While caller cars progressively travel pinch integrated sat-navs, ample touchscreens, and sound controls, millions of drivers still trust connected their phones. The problem is that aged habits—like sticking nan telephone successful nan mediate of nan windscreen for convenience—don’t align pinch existent information laws.

So, what should you do?

A telephone holder is perfectly legal, arsenic agelong arsenic it’s positioned safely. If you’re shopping for one, experts urge vent-mounted designs aliases dashboard holders placed debased down and retired of your nonstop statement of sight. And immoderate you choose, defy nan impulse to grip nan telephone erstwhile you’re moving.

Because what seems for illustration a harmless setup could time off you lighter successful nan wallet, short connected licence points—and, successful nan worst case, progressive successful an mishap that could person been avoided.

So adjacent clip you hop successful nan car, return a 2nd look astatine wherever your telephone is mounted. That mini item could make nan quality betwixt a safe travel and a very costly mistake.

Stay tuned pinch Euro Weekly News for much news from Spain