National
Spanish Congress passes draft bill for harsher penalties for drivers
By m.p. - Oct 4, 2007 - 10:41 PM
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A meeting of Congress on Thursday has, despite the votes against of the opposition Partido Popular, approved a bill for new road safety measures under the Penal Code, now making certain infractions a criminal offence.
The Izquierda Unida-ICV grouping abstained in the vote, as did the PNV Basque Nationalist Party.
The main changes are harsher penalties for reckless drivers, who could face prison for exceeding speed limits by 60 kph in built-up areas, or by 80 kph on open roads.
The reform would also affect drink drivers and those driving under the influence of drugs.
Speaking to journalists in Congress after the vote, the Interior Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, said the new regulations would bring Spain into line with the rest of Europe, and are directed at those who put not only their own lives, but those of others, at risk by driving too fast.
The bill now goes to the Senate for debate, with hopes that it can be passed before the end of the year.
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