What is the Most Common Traffic Violation Leading to License Points Deduction?

In Spain, over 5.6 million traffic violations are penalised annually. Eight percent of these result in points deduction due to their severity. In just one year, the DGT removes over 1.6 million license points, averaging 3.7 points per fine.

The most common violation leading to points deduction on national roads is running a red light, according to an analysis by Formaster, the Professional Association of Training Companies in Transport, Logistics, and Road Safety.

Thirty-five percent of fines with points deduction, over 630,000 annually, are for this reason, and it should be noted that this penalty involves 4 license points. The second most common violation is exceeding the speed limit, accounting for 27% and nearly 300,000 fines annually, which can deduct 2, 4, or 6 points from the license. The third violation is driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, with 12% and over 50,000 fines.

Following these significant penalties are driving without mandatory safety elements (seatbelt, helmet, or child restraint seat) at 6.25% and using a mobile phone while driving at 5.45%.

All these figures are alarming for the Formaster association, but one is particularly significant: 12.9% of fines involving points deduction resulted in the removal of 6 points due to the severity of the driver's actions. Of these, 40% were for drugs and alcohol, and 17% for driving while using a mobile phone.

Violations often endanger lives, whether of drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. There is a need to continue raising awareness about speed limits and the risks they pose, safety elements, mobile phone use, and to promote training and road safety.

"We realise that there are increasingly more violations leading to points deduction on Spanish driving licenses. This should prompt all societal actors, especially those working for road safety, to strive for quality road safety education and training for all age groups, not just those obtaining a license or seeking to recover points. We must commit to a collective effort. Together, we should promote a road safety culture in society," comments Antonio Macedo, president of Formaster.

From this November, there are changes in points recovery courses. For those wishing to partially recover points, the course will last 10 hours, allowing only 4 points to be regained (previously 6). There will be 7 hours of common content and 3 specific to the type of violations committed. This will enhance group dynamics to help students better internalise the content. Drivers can only recover 4 points every two years; professional drivers can recover 4 points annually.

Drivers who have lost all their license points or have been judicially convicted of a road safety offence must complete a 20-hour course and pass a theoretical test.

Both partial and total points recovery courses now include a psychologist trainer for group dynamics, aiming to address changes in attitude and behaviour of offending drivers. Additionally, there will be a visit from a traffic accident victim to share their experience and daily life post-accident.

The DGT has authorised nearly a thousand training centres and driving schools nationwide to conduct points recovery courses. All road safety training centres belonging to Formaster have this authorisation and have been conducting these courses for decades, enabling both private and professional drivers to recover their license points. Formaster offers points recovery courses without delay, focusing on providing excellent training that prioritises awareness towards correct driver conduct.