DGT Warns Drivers: €500 Fine for Throwing Objects from Vehicles
The Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic is intensifying its road safety campaign by imposing €500 fines and six-point license penalties on drivers who discard objects from vehicles, citing risks to road safety and the prevention of forest fires.
With summer approaching, the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) is stepping up its road safety campaign. While vehicle maintenance remains important, the agency is now placing a stronger focus on driver behavior—specifically, the dangers of throwing objects out of car windows.
Under current traffic laws, discarding items onto the road or roadside that could endanger others or start fires is considered a serious offense. Drivers caught doing this face a €500 fine and the loss of six points from their license. These rules apply to everything from cigarette butts to any other waste that could pose a hazard to cyclists or motorcyclists.
The authorities are particularly concerned about the environmental impact. Data from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition shows that nearly 21,000 forest fires over the last decade—about 3% of the total—were caused by cigarettes thrown from moving vehicles. Beyond the traffic fines, anyone who starts a forest fire in this way could face serious criminal charges.
The DGT also reminds drivers that smoking while behind the wheel can lead to fines, regardless of whether litter is discarded. As traffic increases during the holiday season, the agency is urging drivers to act responsibly, follow the rules, and help prevent accidents and wildfires.