Government sub-delegate in Almeria, Manuel de la Fuente, accompanied by the provincial head of Traffic, José María Méndez, today presented the regulatory changes introduced by the new Traffic and Road Safety Law, which came into force yesterday. The law, as De la Fuente pointed out, «incorporates the new times and takes steps to continue advancing in the improvement of road safety» in our country.
In its articles, the law is committed to the future by including references to the environment and autonomous vehicles and establishes another series of measures such as the increase in points to be deducted in the case of carrying a mobile phone in the hand, the 0.0 rate for underage drivers or the prohibition for cars and motorbikes to exceed the speed limits by 20 km/h on conventional roads when overtaking other vehicles.
For his part, José María Méndez, provincial head of Traffic, stressed that the new law «is committed to the future, as it incorporates environmental policy into the Traffic Law, obliging road users to protect the environment and with express references to high pollution episodes and low emission zones». Méndez also stressed that the regulation is also innovative because it establishes, for the first time, the regulation of autonomous vehicles in order to provide them with a legal framework capable of guaranteeing the requirements in relation to road safety.
In addition to this commitment to the future, the Traffic and Road Safety Act reflects the changes taking place in mobility, incorporating personal mobility vehicles and providing greater safety for bicycle users. In addition, legal coverage is given to the accreditation of driving licences in digital format, through the MIDGT app or the use of Variable Message Signs or other technological means to give orders or instructions for traffic regulation.
But, in addition, the regulatory changes also affect the essential elements of road safety such as distractions, speed, alcohol and non-use of seat belts. This new law increases the number of points to be deducted in certain precepts, without increasing the economic amount.