Spanish Congress Advances Proposal to Lower Legal Blood Alcohol Limit for Drivers
The PSOE seeks to reduce the maximum permissible blood alcohol concentration from 0.2 to 0.1 grams per liter, with support from various parties and opposition from Vox.
The Spanish Congress has taken a significant step towards reducing the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers, moving the maximum permissible threshold from 0.2 grams per liter to 0.1. The proposal, initiated by the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), has garnered considerable parliamentary momentum, receiving 177 votes in favor, while Vox voted against it and the Popular Party (PP) abstained.
The legislation aims to address road safety amidst rising concerns over alcohol-related traffic incidents.
PSOE representatives, including spokesperson Manuel Barrios, emphasized that the initiative was primarily aimed at saving lives and curbing the rising incidence of irresponsible driving behaviors.
The proposed legal amendment aligns the blood alcohol limits for all drivers, removing the existing distinctions between novice and professional drivers, which is similar to the regulations in countries like Sweden and Norway.
The legal framework outlines three levels of alcohol-related infractions: serious (0.1 to 0.25 mg/l in breath), resulting in the loss of 2 points from the driver's license; very serious (greater than 0.25 mg/l), leading to the loss of 4 points; and aggravated very serious offenses (over 0.5 mg/l), which could incur a loss of 6 points and fines of up to €1,000.
Data cited in the proposal indicates that drivers with blood alcohol levels between 0.05 and 0.25 mg/l are up to three times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents compared to sober drivers.
Barrios further referenced statistics from the National Institute of Toxicology, stating that in recent years, approximately 33% of drivers who died in traffic accidents had illegal alcohol levels, along with 29% of affected pedestrians.
In 2023 alone, there were 50,000 convictions for exceeding alcohol limits.
Supporters of the proposal, including the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), reiterated the dangers of driving under the influence.
Meanwhile, discussions arose about the specifics of the law, with some parties expressing concerns regarding the initial presentation of the measure by the Ministry of the Interior, led by Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
The ERC representative likened opposition to the reduction of alcohol levels to allowing a surgeon to operate while impaired.
Both PNV and ERC signaled their intention to support the bill but plan to propose amendments in subsequent legislative processes.
The initiative also includes provisions to prohibit the dissemination of information about police control locations on social media, classifying this act as a very serious infringement, with potential legal repercussions for individuals sharing such information.
The PP's spokesperson, Bella Verano, criticized the PSOE's approach, arguing that the use of legislative proposals sidesteps necessary consultations with industry experts and stakeholders.
Verano also raised concerns about the government’s handling of road safety issues and suggested that the debate serves as a diversion from deeper systemic problems within Spain's traffic management.
Voices from Vox underscored a broader critique of the PSOE government's policies, arguing that responsibility for traffic safety extends beyond individual drivers to include government accountability for infrastructure quality and enforcement practices.
Additionally, they raised questions about the government’s commitments to environmental initiatives in the automotive sector.
The PP expressed a willingness to negotiate adjustments to the proposal, provided that the PSOE refrains from bypassing due legislative process.
Verano characterized the current proceedings as yet another manifestation of the government's failure to address pressing road safety concerns effectively.
The legislation aims to address road safety amidst rising concerns over alcohol-related traffic incidents.
PSOE representatives, including spokesperson Manuel Barrios, emphasized that the initiative was primarily aimed at saving lives and curbing the rising incidence of irresponsible driving behaviors.
The proposed legal amendment aligns the blood alcohol limits for all drivers, removing the existing distinctions between novice and professional drivers, which is similar to the regulations in countries like Sweden and Norway.
The legal framework outlines three levels of alcohol-related infractions: serious (0.1 to 0.25 mg/l in breath), resulting in the loss of 2 points from the driver's license; very serious (greater than 0.25 mg/l), leading to the loss of 4 points; and aggravated very serious offenses (over 0.5 mg/l), which could incur a loss of 6 points and fines of up to €1,000.
Data cited in the proposal indicates that drivers with blood alcohol levels between 0.05 and 0.25 mg/l are up to three times more likely to be involved in fatal accidents compared to sober drivers.
Barrios further referenced statistics from the National Institute of Toxicology, stating that in recent years, approximately 33% of drivers who died in traffic accidents had illegal alcohol levels, along with 29% of affected pedestrians.
In 2023 alone, there were 50,000 convictions for exceeding alcohol limits.
Supporters of the proposal, including the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC), reiterated the dangers of driving under the influence.
Meanwhile, discussions arose about the specifics of the law, with some parties expressing concerns regarding the initial presentation of the measure by the Ministry of the Interior, led by Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
The ERC representative likened opposition to the reduction of alcohol levels to allowing a surgeon to operate while impaired.
Both PNV and ERC signaled their intention to support the bill but plan to propose amendments in subsequent legislative processes.
The initiative also includes provisions to prohibit the dissemination of information about police control locations on social media, classifying this act as a very serious infringement, with potential legal repercussions for individuals sharing such information.
The PP's spokesperson, Bella Verano, criticized the PSOE's approach, arguing that the use of legislative proposals sidesteps necessary consultations with industry experts and stakeholders.
Verano also raised concerns about the government’s handling of road safety issues and suggested that the debate serves as a diversion from deeper systemic problems within Spain's traffic management.
Voices from Vox underscored a broader critique of the PSOE government's policies, arguing that responsibility for traffic safety extends beyond individual drivers to include government accountability for infrastructure quality and enforcement practices.
Additionally, they raised questions about the government’s commitments to environmental initiatives in the automotive sector.
The PP expressed a willingness to negotiate adjustments to the proposal, provided that the PSOE refrains from bypassing due legislative process.
Verano characterized the current proceedings as yet another manifestation of the government's failure to address pressing road safety concerns effectively.
Translation:
Translated by AI
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
