EVEN though everyone who uses a car in Spain knows – or should know – what the legal drink-driving limit is, most motorists are unclear as to how much alcohol this translates to in terms of liquid volume, so the Guardia Civil has released a guideline.
Of course, the only safe amount is zero – in all cases, not just on the road – and the Guardia Civil strongly advises those who know they are going to be driving not to touch a single drop.
But what happens if you've sat down for a beer or a glass of wine in front of the TV one evening and, midway through it, an emergency crops up – a friend or family member in crisis, in hospital, or a pet needing to be rushed to the 24-hour veterinary surgery? Even after just one sip, you should forget about driving under normal circumstances – although in an extreme situation like this, would that one sip put you over the limit and leave you at risk of a fine or, more importantly, putting yourself and other road users in serious danger?
Different limits for different people
Changes are afoot in national road traffic laws, which will include under-18s – who, in Spain, cannot drive a car, but may ride a moped, small motorcycle or pushbike – having a total zero alcohol limit, and the margin of 20 kilometres per hour for overtaking no longer permitted.
Full details will be revealed over the next two weeks by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), but the drink-driving limit will remain the same, at 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood, or 0.25 milligrams of alcohol per litre of breath when tested.
For those who have passed their driving test less than two years ago, and for professional drivers – cabbies, coach drivers, and so on – in the course of their work, the limit is lower still, at 0.3 grams per litre of blood or 0.15 milligrams per litre of breath.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com