DGT Warns Drivers: Excessive Music Volume Can Lead to Heavy Fines
Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic is warning drivers that using headphones or playing music at excessive volumes can lead to significant fines and increased road safety risks.
Road safety depends on more than just driving skill or a well-maintained car; it requires your full attention. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) is reminding drivers that listening to music at an excessive volume is a serious, often overlooked risk that can lead to heavy fines.
Under Article 18.2 of Spain’s General Traffic Regulations, drivers must remain fully aware of their surroundings. Using headphones or earphones while driving is strictly prohibited because these devices limit your ability to react to the road. Breaking this rule is considered a serious offense, carrying a 200-euro fine and the loss of three points from your license.
The volume of your car’s built-in sound system is also regulated, primarily through local city ordinances. The main concern is noise pollution and the danger of failing to hear emergency sirens from police or ambulances. While there is no national limit for in-car volume, many cities cap noise levels at 87 decibels. Exceeding this can result in fines between 90 and 300 euros, with penalties reaching up to 3,000 euros for extreme noise disturbances.
Authorities are highlighting this issue because a habit that seems harmless can actually put everyone on the road at risk. Experts recommend keeping your audio at a moderate level so you can always hear what is happening around you, allowing you to react quickly to any unexpected situation.