October 6, 2025 • 9 mins
This week, the DGT is targeting every form of driver distraction—from holding a mobile phone (a 6-point, €200 offence) to subtle habits like smoking or talking to passengers.
We detail why this campaign is crucial, reviewing a news story where a driver changing a song caused a horrific school bus accident.
Plus, we highlight our three new website articles, explaining the mandatory need for identical tyres on each axle in Spain and why safety experts recommend replacing your tread at 3 millimetres, not the legal 1.6 millimetres, to significantly improve wet weather stopping distances.
For more updates, visit Mark Nolan's Podcast!
We detail why this campaign is crucial, reviewing a news story where a driver changing a song caused a horrific school bus accident.
Plus, we highlight our three new website articles, explaining the mandatory need for identical tyres on each axle in Spain and why safety experts recommend replacing your tread at 3 millimetres, not the legal 1.6 millimetres, to significantly improve wet weather stopping distances.
For more updates, visit Mark Nolan's Podcast!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the N three three to two Driving in
Spain podcast. Here's Mark Nolan with the latest.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Hello and welcome back to the N three to three
to two Driving in Spain podcast, your weekly source for
road safety, traffic law updates and motoring history from Spain,
the UK and Beyondand I'm Mark Nolan and we're a
teeny bit late this week, so apologies for that. I
could blame traffic for the delay, but I've actually been
(00:26):
working on something really exciting, but I can't tell you
just yet. Anyway, back to this week, and our keyword
this week is distraction. We're covering an intense new campaign
launched by the DGT and the Guadia Civil here in Spain,
aimed at cracking down on drivers who aren't giving the
road their full attention. We'll look at why that campaign
(00:47):
is so necessary, using a shocking news story from America
this week, where a driver trying to change a song
caused a horrific crash. We'll also be looking at major
new signage and equipment updates. We'll dive deep into our
essential new tire safety articles available on the website this week,
as October is Tire Safety Month, and as always, will
(01:07):
take a look through the motoring history books for the
coming week. The dangers of distraction are not abstract. They
are devastatingly real, and we have a sobering reminder of
that from the US this week. A distracted driver, and
I use that term precisely hit a school bus full
of children. When questioned, the driver admitted they were distracted
(01:29):
because they were attempting to change the song they were
listening to. That momentary lapse, that one small action sent
twenty two children and three adults to hospital. It is
a terrifying illustration of the devastating consequences of momentary inattention,
and that is exactly why the DGT and the Guardia
Civil have launched a special high intensity monitoring campaign across
(01:54):
the country right now. Their message is clear, distraction takes many,
many forms and they are targeting them all. While the
use of a mobile phone remains the headline of fender
and remember, merely holding a mobile phone while driving, even
if you are stopped at a red light, is a
serious offense that costs you six points and a two
(02:16):
hundred euro fine. The campaign's scope is far broader. Officers
are specifically on the lookout for drivers engaging in other
activities that take their attention away from the road. This
includes checking social media, fiddling with a navigation device, but
also more subtle habits that have become ingrained in driving culture.
(02:36):
We're talking about smoking at the wheel, which can distract
for up to four seconds while lighting up or discarding
a butt. We're talking about talking to passengers, particularly if
you turn your head away from the windscreen, and yes,
even adjusting your radio, eating a sandwich or applying makeup
falls under the umbrella of inattention to driving. Under Article
(02:58):
eighteen of the Traffic Regular Carrying Stiff Fines. The dgt's
message is unequivocal. When you are behind the wheel, your
sole focus must be on the road ahead, because, as
that terrible story from the States proves, even trying to
change a song can destroy lives. Beyond the campaign on distractions,
we have a few other important updates from both Spain
(03:21):
and the UK this week. First, a quick but crucial
reminder about equipment here in Spain, the deadline for the
mandatory adoption of the V sixteen connected emergency beacon is
fast approaching. From January the first, twenty twenty six This
GPS enabled light will fully replace the traditional warning triangles,
and the purpose, of course is safety, allowing you to
(03:43):
signal a breakdown without ever having to step out into
fast moving traffic, while automatically notifying the DGT of your
exact location. If you're buying a beacon now make sure
it's a connected version, or you'll need to buy another
one before the twenty twenty six deadline. In terms of
roadmark the DGT is continuing to roll out the continuous
(04:03):
red line on high risk sections of road. This marking
is simply a reinforced visual warning, the Spanish equivalent of
the UK's double continuous white lines signifying that overtaking is
strictly prohibited due to danger. Separately, the introduction of a
new sign which warns drivers of devices monitoring the minimum
(04:25):
safety distance between vehicles on motorways continues to cause some
debate amongst motorists. The DGT insists it's about preventing rear
end collisions, but the penalties are stiff two hundred euros
and four points for non compliance. And finally, across the pond,
in the UK, Parliament is reviewing proposals to introduce tougher
(04:47):
penalties for careless driving offenses, especially those that endanger vulnerable
road users like cyclists and pedestrians. This is part of
a global movement to ensure motorists take greater response ability
for those outside of the vehicle. Now tying directly into
the theme of vehicle safety and maintenance, we have published
a comprehensive series of articles on the N three to
(05:09):
three to two website this week all about tires. Tires
are the only part of your car that touches the road,
and their condition is perhaps the most underestimated safety factor.
Our first two articles, close up tire inspection and reading
tire codes, provide essential practical advice. We remind readers that
while the Spanish legal minimum tread depth is one point
(05:32):
six millimeters, safety experts and our latest article under Pressure,
which takes its queue from the UK Seasonal Tire Safety
Month campaigns, recommend replacement closer to three millimeters. Why because
research proves that in wet conditions, a tire at the
legal limit can take an extra eight meters or two
(05:52):
car lengths longer to stop from just eighty kilometers per hour.
Compared to a tire with three millimeters of tread. That
is a life changing difference. So our articles also detail
the critical Spanish legal requirement that tires on the same
axle must be identical in size, type and tread pattern
to prevent instability. If you're driving a vehicle in Spain,
(06:14):
you need to understand the codes on the sidewall, the width,
the ratio, the speed and the load rating, all of
which must match your ITV card. We urge you to
take five minutes a month to check your tires for
uneven wear, bulges, cracks and correct pressure, as this simple
maintenance is the cornerstone of safety. As the season's shift.
(06:37):
You can find all three detailed articles, including the stats
on stopping distances, live right now on our website. Finally,
as we turn our historian's eye to the weak ahead,
we find a great dual focus on both Spanish culture
and British manufacturing. It Here in Spain, the coming week
often sees the celebration and gathering of classic motoring enthusiasts,
(06:58):
with events like the annual Mayork Car Week. This event,
which runs through this period, is an important reminder of
the country's deep appreciation for automotive heritage. Bringing together classic,
historic and performance cars for scenic drives and concourse events
is the kind of passionate event that preserves the history
(07:19):
of the machine itself. And speaking of historic machines, on
October thirteenth, nineteen eighty two, a car that would define
a generation of British and European motoring was launched, the
Ford Sierra, replacing the aging but hugely successful Courtina. The
Sierra was initially controversial. Its aerodynamic jelly mold styling, developed
(07:41):
under the code name Project Tony, divided opinion and its
sales struggled early on, but Ford stuck with it, and
following a popular facelift, the Sierra went on to become
one of the best selling cars in Britain, proving that
sometimes even a controversial design can stand the test of time.
The Sierra was also a popular police car in the
(08:02):
UK and the star of the bill for those who
remember Tony, Stamp and Co. Not quite as good as
the Capri in my opinion, but each to their own.
My personal favorite was a Rover, followed by a Range Rover,
then the Capri. What about you or are we heading
into a rabbit hole here? Let's move on. So, whether
you are driving a brand new car or a classic Sierra,
(08:25):
your greatest safety feature is your attention. Please heed the
dgt's warning and campaign this week, drive distraction free, check
those tires religiously using the information we have published, and
make sure your safety equipment from the V sixteen beacon
to your seat belt is always up to the job.
(08:49):
Thank you for listening. Please remember to subscribe wherever you
get your podcasts, and we'll be back next week for
more news and updates. Until then, stay safe on the roads.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
That was the N three three two Driving in Spain
podcast presented by Mark Nolan. My name is Lily. If
you want to know how we use AI in these productions,
you can find out all about it on the website
N three three two dot e s C you next time.
This is the N three three to two Driving in
Spain podcast. Here's Mark Nolan with the latest.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Hello and welcome back to the N three to three
to two Driving in Spain podcast, your weekly source for
road safety, traffic law updates and motoring history from Spain,
the UK and Beyondand I'm Mark Nolan and we're a
teeny bit late this week, so apologies for that. I
could blame traffic for the delay, but I've actually been
(00:26):
working on something really exciting, but I can't tell you
just yet. Anyway, back to this week, and our keyword
this week is distraction. We're covering an intense new campaign
launched by the DGT and the Guadia Civil here in Spain,
aimed at cracking down on drivers who aren't giving the
road their full attention. We'll look at why that campaign
(00:47):
is so necessary, using a shocking news story from America
this week, where a driver trying to change a song
caused a horrific crash. We'll also be looking at major
new signage and equipment updates. We'll dive deep into our
essential new tire safety articles available on the website this week,
as October is Tire Safety Month, and as always, will
(01:07):
take a look through the motoring history books for the
coming week. The dangers of distraction are not abstract. They
are devastatingly real, and we have a sobering reminder of
that from the US this week. A distracted driver, and
I use that term precisely hit a school bus full
of children. When questioned, the driver admitted they were distracted
(01:29):
because they were attempting to change the song they were
listening to. That momentary lapse, that one small action sent
twenty two children and three adults to hospital. It is
a terrifying illustration of the devastating consequences of momentary inattention,
and that is exactly why the DGT and the Guardia
Civil have launched a special high intensity monitoring campaign across
(01:54):
the country right now. Their message is clear, distraction takes many,
many forms and they are targeting them all. While the
use of a mobile phone remains the headline of fender
and remember, merely holding a mobile phone while driving, even
if you are stopped at a red light, is a
serious offense that costs you six points and a two
(02:16):
hundred euro fine. The campaign's scope is far broader. Officers
are specifically on the lookout for drivers engaging in other
activities that take their attention away from the road. This
includes checking social media, fiddling with a navigation device, but
also more subtle habits that have become ingrained in driving culture.
(02:36):
We're talking about smoking at the wheel, which can distract
for up to four seconds while lighting up or discarding
a butt. We're talking about talking to passengers, particularly if
you turn your head away from the windscreen, and yes,
even adjusting your radio, eating a sandwich or applying makeup
falls under the umbrella of inattention to driving. Under Article
(02:58):
eighteen of the Traffic Regular Carrying Stiff Fines. The dgt's
message is unequivocal. When you are behind the wheel, your
sole focus must be on the road ahead, because, as
that terrible story from the States proves, even trying to
change a song can destroy lives. Beyond the campaign on distractions,
we have a few other important updates from both Spain
(03:21):
and the UK this week. First, a quick but crucial
reminder about equipment here in Spain, the deadline for the
mandatory adoption of the V sixteen connected emergency beacon is
fast approaching. From January the first, twenty twenty six This
GPS enabled light will fully replace the traditional warning triangles,
and the purpose, of course is safety, allowing you to
(03:43):
signal a breakdown without ever having to step out into
fast moving traffic, while automatically notifying the DGT of your
exact location. If you're buying a beacon now make sure
it's a connected version, or you'll need to buy another
one before the twenty twenty six deadline. In terms of
roadmark the DGT is continuing to roll out the continuous
(04:03):
red line on high risk sections of road. This marking
is simply a reinforced visual warning, the Spanish equivalent of
the UK's double continuous white lines signifying that overtaking is
strictly prohibited due to danger. Separately, the introduction of a
new sign which warns drivers of devices monitoring the minimum
(04:25):
safety distance between vehicles on motorways continues to cause some
debate amongst motorists. The DGT insists it's about preventing rear
end collisions, but the penalties are stiff two hundred euros
and four points for non compliance. And finally, across the pond,
in the UK, Parliament is reviewing proposals to introduce tougher
(04:47):
penalties for careless driving offenses, especially those that endanger vulnerable
road users like cyclists and pedestrians. This is part of
a global movement to ensure motorists take greater response ability
for those outside of the vehicle. Now tying directly into
the theme of vehicle safety and maintenance, we have published
a comprehensive series of articles on the N three to
(05:09):
three to two website this week all about tires. Tires
are the only part of your car that touches the road,
and their condition is perhaps the most underestimated safety factor.
Our first two articles, close up tire inspection and reading
tire codes, provide essential practical advice. We remind readers that
while the Spanish legal minimum tread depth is one point
(05:32):
six millimeters, safety experts and our latest article under Pressure,
which takes its queue from the UK Seasonal Tire Safety
Month campaigns, recommend replacement closer to three millimeters. Why because
research proves that in wet conditions, a tire at the
legal limit can take an extra eight meters or two
(05:52):
car lengths longer to stop from just eighty kilometers per hour.
Compared to a tire with three millimeters of tread. That
is a life changing difference. So our articles also detail
the critical Spanish legal requirement that tires on the same
axle must be identical in size, type and tread pattern
to prevent instability. If you're driving a vehicle in Spain,
(06:14):
you need to understand the codes on the sidewall, the width,
the ratio, the speed and the load rating, all of
which must match your ITV card. We urge you to
take five minutes a month to check your tires for
uneven wear, bulges, cracks and correct pressure, as this simple
maintenance is the cornerstone of safety. As the season's shift.
(06:37):
You can find all three detailed articles, including the stats
on stopping distances, live right now on our website. Finally,
as we turn our historian's eye to the weak ahead,
we find a great dual focus on both Spanish culture
and British manufacturing. It Here in Spain, the coming week
often sees the celebration and gathering of classic motoring enthusiasts,
(06:58):
with events like the annual Mayork Car Week. This event,
which runs through this period, is an important reminder of
the country's deep appreciation for automotive heritage. Bringing together classic,
historic and performance cars for scenic drives and concourse events
is the kind of passionate event that preserves the history
(07:19):
of the machine itself. And speaking of historic machines, on
October thirteenth, nineteen eighty two, a car that would define
a generation of British and European motoring was launched, the
Ford Sierra, replacing the aging but hugely successful Courtina. The
Sierra was initially controversial. Its aerodynamic jelly mold styling, developed
(07:41):
under the code name Project Tony, divided opinion and its
sales struggled early on, but Ford stuck with it, and
following a popular facelift, the Sierra went on to become
one of the best selling cars in Britain, proving that
sometimes even a controversial design can stand the test of time.
The Sierra was also a popular police car in the
(08:02):
UK and the star of the bill for those who
remember Tony, Stamp and Co. Not quite as good as
the Capri in my opinion, but each to their own.
My personal favorite was a Rover, followed by a Range Rover,
then the Capri. What about you or are we heading
into a rabbit hole here? Let's move on. So, whether
you are driving a brand new car or a classic Sierra,
(08:25):
your greatest safety feature is your attention. Please heed the
dgt's warning and campaign this week, drive distraction free, check
those tires religiously using the information we have published, and
make sure your safety equipment from the V sixteen beacon
to your seat belt is always up to the job.
(08:49):
Thank you for listening. Please remember to subscribe wherever you
get your podcasts, and we'll be back next week for
more news and updates. Until then, stay safe on the roads.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
That was the N three three two Driving in Spain
podcast presented by Mark Nolan. My name is Lily. If
you want to know how we use AI in these productions,
you can find out all about it on the website
N three three two dot e s C you next time.
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