Lorraine Williamson
Spanish traffic authorities have issued more than 6,000 fines in just one week for failing to use seatbelts or child restraints, according to the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT).
Between 10 and 16 March, officers checked 448,494 vehicles across the country. This marks a 7.6% increase in controls compared to the same campaign in 2023. A total of 6,409 people in Spain received fines for not wearing seatbelts or using a child restraint system (SRI), averaging over 900 infractions per day.
Most violations on dangerous conventional roads
The majority of offences – 77% – occurred on conventional roads. These are among the most dangerous in Spain, where more fatal accidents are recorded than on motorways. Most serious crashes involve a vehicle leaving its lane.
During the operation, the Guardia Civil’s traffic division, supported by regional and local police, focused checks on both urban and interurban roads.
Seatbelt non-use: A persistent issue
Of the 6,024 adults fined, 3,088 were drivers. A further 1,291 front-seat passengers and 1,645 rear-seat passengers were also found travelling without seatbelts.
So far in 2025, 42 of the 133 people who died in road accidents were not wearing a seatbelt at the time.
Evidence shows that wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death in a crash by 50%. It also prevents ejection from the vehicle or impact with the windscreen. In cities, wearing one makes a person five times less likely to die or suffer serious injuries.
Children at risk without proper restraints
The campaign also identified 385 children under 135cm travelling without proper child restraints or using them incorrectly. Of these, 285 were seated in the back and 100 in the front.
The DGT highlights that nine in ten serious or fatal injuries in children could be prevented with the correct use of child restraint systems. These systems can reduce injury risk by up to 75%.
Seatbelt fines in Spain
Since changes to the Traffic and Road Safety Law in 2022, the penalty for failing to wear a seatbelt is four points on a driving licence. The same penalty applies to not using the appropriate child restraint system.
The DGT continues to urge all road users to comply with safety regulations, especially on Spain’s most hazardous roads.