DGT Warns Drivers: Using Rearview Mirrors for Grooming Is a Punishable Offense
Spain's Directorate-General for Traffic is issuing 80-euro fines to drivers who use rearview mirrors for personal grooming instead of monitoring road safety.
The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) is cracking down on a common but dangerous habit: using rearview mirrors for anything other than checking the road. While it may seem like a minor action, officials are warning that using mirrors for personal grooming or checking your appearance is a punishable offense.
Under Article 18.1 of the General Traffic Regulations, drivers have a legal duty to maintain constant attention on the road. Authorities view any behavior that takes a driver’s eyes off the path—even for a few seconds—as a distraction that puts everyone on the road at risk.
Drivers caught using mirrors for non-driving purposes face an 80-euro fine. This penalty can increase if a driver is caught adjusting their mirrors while the vehicle is in motion. The DGT stresses that mirrors are safety tools designed exclusively for monitoring traffic and executing maneuvers; using them for anything else can lead to a loss of focus that causes accidents.
This reminder is part of a broader effort to reduce road accidents caused by driver distraction, which remains a leading cause of crashes in Spain. The DGT aims to remind all motorists that driving requires full, uninterrupted attention at all times.