Canary Islands Cold Front: Civil Guard Warns Drivers, Fines for Poor Visibility.
The Civil Guard warns Canary Islands drivers to prepare for a new weather front bringing rain and colder temperatures by ensuring vehicle safety and clear windscreens to avoid accidents and potential fines.
A new weather front is heading towards the Canary Islands, bringing rain and colder temperatures, particularly noticeable in Tenerife. These Atlantic weather systems will affect the entire province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, meaning drivers will need to be extremely cautious on the roads.
The Civil Guard is reminding drivers in Tenerife how important it is to keep their vehicles in good condition and to adapt their driving to the weather. This helps reduce the risk of traffic accidents and avoids financial penalties.
Article 18 of the General Traffic Regulations clearly states: "The driver of a vehicle must maintain their freedom of movement, a necessary field of vision, and constant attention to driving. This guarantees their own safety, that of other people in the vehicle, and that of other road users. To do this, they must take special care to maintain the appropriate position and ensure that other passengers do so, and that transported objects or animals are properly placed so they do not interfere with the driver."
One of the most common problems when cold weather arrives is reduced visibility due to ice or frost on the windscreen. Many drivers think clearing just a small area is enough, but this puts other road users at risk.
Visibility doesn't only depend on the windscreen; headlights are also a vital part of road visibility and must be completely free of ice or snow. In some vehicles, simply turning on the lights for a few minutes will melt it, while other times it needs to be removed by hand.
The Civil Guard will be checking vehicle windscreens during this cold front. Driving with a windscreen covered in ice or snow can lead to fines of between 80 and 200 euros.
The Civil Guard recommends following these guidelines:
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) warns drivers not to use methods such as pouring water on the glass and other highly inadvisable practices. The recommendations for defrosting the windscreen are: