The DGT (Department of Transport) have made it clear this week that they will be enforcing fines for touching, holding, or using a mobile phone whilst driving, regardless of whether it is in a holder or on a magnetic stand or not.
Last year more than 9,000 fines of the 200 euro fixed penalty were issued in the Canary Islands, and making a call, looking for an address on Google Maps, or checking WhatsApp are all prohibited.
The DGT has intensified its fight against the use of mobile phones while driving, considering it one of its main priorities in terms of road safety. It has been listed as one of the five most penalized offences, according to the latest report by Associated European Motorists (AEA), and one of the major contributors to an increase in road accidents.
The DGT has already taken measures to address the seriousness of the problem, as 18 months ago the new Traffic Law was approved in Spain, which significantly toughened the penalties for using mobile phones while driving.
Previously, fines were only issued for using a mobile phone for calls whilst driving, but now just holding or touching it is an offence.
In addition, the DGT has deployed 225 cameras throughout the country to monitor not only the use of seat belts but also the use of mobile phones while driving, which implies greater control and surveillance.
DRIVING OFFENCES IN THE CANARY ISLANDS:
According to the AEA report, in 2022, speeding continued to be the most commonly sanctioned driving offence in the Canary Islands by the DGT, with a total of 128,723 fines issued, followed by people driving without a valid ITV (MOT), with 25,026 cases.
Other notable offences include the use of mobile phones while driving (9,452 sanctions), drunk driving (6,939 fines), driving without a license (7,770 cases), driving without insurance (5,483 cases) and not wearing a seat belt (5,554 cases).
