They are out to get us!
“The Spanish Government has decided to impose a lower speed limit in order that motorists will use less fuel, thereby saving money.”
My argument was that it is a good idea for motorists to slow down to save fuel as the cost continues on the way up, but do we need a law? Wouldn’t a mere suggestion have been enough for most sensible people? Perhaps, I mused, there’s a hidden agenda.
Well, it’s hidden no longer.
As from the 7th March the following is the case:
Should you exceed 30kph by even one kilometre, (the in-city driving limit) you will be fined 100 euros. (Between 31 and 50 kph.) It’s too bad if your speedometer needs calibrating, that will be your tough luck as the authorities are now taking a zero- tolerance attitude.
There are sliding scales of offences and punishments, such as driving at 81, or more in a 30 kph zone will result in a 600 euros fine, and loss of 6 points. The same formula is set in place for the various other limits, up to and including 110. Of course, there have always been the various limits but drivers along Spain’s roads usually take no notice as we simply do not have the discipline. On one occasion I was stopped for driving at 80 kph in a 60 kph zone. The area was one over which I travelled several times per week, and to make matters worse I had passed four signs along the path warning me that 60 was the maximum. (Bloody cost me 200 euros, a very costly lesson.)
So, this is not about actually simply saving money for the motorists, but rather the government needs to top up the coffers, and as usual governments always look to the soft targets when imposing these types of ex-oficio taxes. It’s true that Spain gets about 20% of its oil requirements from Libya, and while that source has been cut off it will have to roll back demand until the shortfall can be found elsewhere.
The police have been pissed about having had to give up 5% of their pay, so they haven’t been booking people for speeding, so let the radars do it. You pass a radar over the limit and you get a ticket in the mail. That’s all there is to it.
So, they’re out to get you, and this time they’re serious. Come to think of it, they’re out to get me as well. Yikes!!!
Copyright © 2011 Eugene Carmichael
“The Spanish Government has decided to impose a lower speed limit in order that motorists will use less fuel, thereby saving money.”
My argument was that it is a good idea for motorists to slow down to save fuel as the cost continues on the way up, but do we need a law? Wouldn’t a mere suggestion have been enough for most sensible people? Perhaps, I mused, there’s a hidden agenda.
Well, it’s hidden no longer.
As from the 7th March the following is the case:
Should you exceed 30kph by even one kilometre, (the in-city driving limit) you will be fined 100 euros. (Between 31 and 50 kph.) It’s too bad if your speedometer needs calibrating, that will be your tough luck as the authorities are now taking a zero- tolerance attitude.
There are sliding scales of offences and punishments, such as driving at 81, or more in a 30 kph zone will result in a 600 euros fine, and loss of 6 points. The same formula is set in place for the various other limits, up to and including 110. Of course, there have always been the various limits but drivers along Spain’s roads usually take no notice as we simply do not have the discipline. On one occasion I was stopped for driving at 80 kph in a 60 kph zone. The area was one over which I travelled several times per week, and to make matters worse I had passed four signs along the path warning me that 60 was the maximum. (Bloody cost me 200 euros, a very costly lesson.)
So, this is not about actually simply saving money for the motorists, but rather the government needs to top up the coffers, and as usual governments always look to the soft targets when imposing these types of ex-oficio taxes. It’s true that Spain gets about 20% of its oil requirements from Libya, and while that source has been cut off it will have to roll back demand until the shortfall can be found elsewhere.
The police have been pissed about having had to give up 5% of their pay, so they haven’t been booking people for speeding, so let the radars do it. You pass a radar over the limit and you get a ticket in the mail. That’s all there is to it.
So, they’re out to get you, and this time they’re serious. Come to think of it, they’re out to get me as well. Yikes!!!
Copyright © 2011 Eugene Carmichael
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