Alcohol is a major factor in a high percentage of Spain’s road accidents (around a third of drivers in fatal accidents are over the alcohol limit), particularly those that occur late at night. The amount you can drink and remain below the limit depends on how much you normally drink, your sex and your weight.
A man weighing around 75kg can usually drink around two glasses of wine with a meal and remain below the limit. Your alcohol level rises considerably if you drink on an empty stomach (which is why the Spanish eat lots of bread!).
Random breath tests ( alcohol-tests) can be carried out by the police at any time (they’re more widespread during the Christmas and New Year holiday period and in July and August), and motorists who are involved in accidents or who infringe motoring regulations are routinely given alcohol and drug tests.
Drunken driving can result in a fine of up to €1,500, loss of points from your licence or its suspension and even imprisonment. Drivers who refuse to take a breath test are liable to a prison sentence of 6 to 12 months and a loss of six points. Note that the same regulations apply to cyclists, although they don’t lose any points!
If you have an accident while under the influence of alcohol, your car and health insurance could be nullified. This means that you must pay your own and any third party’s car repairs, medical expenses and other damages, which could run to millions of euros.
This article is an extract from Living and Working in Spain.
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