Modern messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram have changed the way we communicate with each other. What a few years ago was done with SMS (and paying 0.15 euros for each message sent of up to 160 characters), today we can do it completely free of charge thanks to 4G and 5G data networks. But, like everything, whenever there is progress and advantages, problems and drawbacks also appear.
Gone are the times when we only talked to people we knew. Nowadays it is very common to be part of WhatsApp and Telegram groups and channels made up of hundreds, or thousands, of people. And the majority, unknown. Hundreds of messages of all kinds move daily in these groups, from meaningless conversations to interesting information. One of the most frequent groups on these platforms are radar groups. These groups, as their name suggests, allow users to share the positions of radars and police checkpoints, to help others avoid them if they do not want to go through them.
In principle, the law says that reporting the position of an already installed control is legal, and should not cause any problems. Of course, reporting a control that has not yet been set up would be illegal. And, although these groups almost always warn of mobile radars, and controls that are already set up, things are going to change very soon.
More control in the radar groups and police controls
The DGT is approving several new traffic regulations that, in truth, are necessary. The first, already in force, is the new blood alcohol level while driving, which has been set at 0.2 grams per liter. This new rate has generated a lot of controversy, since it implies that just one beer would result in a positive test. But it is not the only thing that is going to be approved.
As confirmed by the director of the DGT, new regulations are being prepared that will prohibit warning of radars and controls on messaging platforms. The text is already finished, and all that remains is to approve it in Congress for it to become law.
At the moment not all the details about the regulations are known. But what we do know is that fines of between 100 and 200 euros will be imposed for notifying other drivers of controls using “bursts of light,” and penalties of up to 30,000 euros for “interfering in the operations of security agents.” Reporting controls on WhatsApp and Telegram obviously falls within this second sanction.
For now it is not known if the sanctions will go to the administrators of these groups, or against the users who report them. It is also not known whether it will be illegal only to belong to these groups, or only for those who warn of police presence. What is clear is that, as soon as the regulations are approved, things are going to get interesting. And, to avoid fines and sanctions, it is better to leave these groups.
