With the DGT pointing to the heat as one of the reasons that explain the increase in the accident rate that has been registered during the month of July, we ask ourselves: can you be fined for drinking water while driving?
DGT experts agree with those of private entities in pointing out that excess heat increases the risk of having a traffic accident.
Driving in interior temperatures above 25 degrees can cause drowsiness, fatigue, loss of reflexes and even blackouts. There are a series of recommendations to prevent excess heat from affecting the capacities that every driver must keep alert. One of them is to hydrate correctly and frequently; yes, never with alcohol.
Now, given that the act of drinking water involves taking your hands and eyes off the steering wheel and the road, even for a short time, the question arises: is this a reason for a sanction?
Can you be fined for drinking water while driving?
To clear up doubts, we have transferred the question to the expert traffic lawyers of the Dvuelta fine management company.
The answer is yes, with the following explanation: “those drivers who drink water at the wheel can be sanctioned since this is an action contrary to the attention to driving that they must maintain at all times”.
“The fine is usually 80 euros without deduction of points”nuance
Article 13.2 of the Traffic Law
In the case of traffic agents sanctioning a driver for drinking water at the wheel, they will do so based on article 13.2 of the Traffic Law.
This states verbatim that “The driver of a vehicle is obliged to maintain his own freedom of movement, the necessary field of vision and permanent attention to driving, which guarantee his own safety, that of the other occupants of the vehicle and that of other road users.”.
And adds: “For these purposes, you must take special care to maintain the proper position and that the rest of the passengers maintain it, and the proper placement of the objects or animals transported so that there is no interference between the driver and any of them.”.
This same article is the one that gives rise to sanctions as curious as the fine for a driver sanctioned for biting his nails. It is also the one that explains why you can be fined for driving with flip flops or without a shirt in summer.
