Claire Reid
Brits travelling to Spain are being warned of a lesser-known driving rule that could land them with a fine.
With the British summer being a total wash out, you may be eyeing up a trip overseas to enjoy a bit of sunshine.
And if you plan on hiring a car while you’re over there - it might be a good idea to check you’re familiar with the rules of the road because while some are the same as the UK others differ.
In Spain, much like the UK, you can’t use your mobile phone while driving unless it’s on handsfree.
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However, the country takes it one step and it’s also illegal to use headphones or earpieces while driving, with those falling foul of the rule facing a €200 (£170) fine.
The legal age to drive is slightly higher than in the UK as well - all drivers must be aged 18 or over to get behind the wheel.
And, the RAC warns: “Speed camera warning systems are banned in Spain, so ensure you disable this function when using satellite navigation and GPS devices.”
TikTok user Ana Gildersleeve shared the ‘weird rule’ in a clip online, and it turns out a lot of people think it’s actually a pretty good idea.
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Responding to the clip one person said: “These actually make sense.”
Another wrote: “How is driving without headphones ‘weird’? That’s basic common sense.”
And a third commented: “The headphones drive should be everywhere!! It's so dangerous.”
In the UK there is no specific law preventing motorists from using headphones while driving, however, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents explains ‘if police believe a driver was distracted or not in full control of their vehicle, the driver could be stopped and penalised’.
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Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart director of policy and research, told the Sun: “A really good driver uses all their senses to anticipate problems.
"Cutting out your hearing could mean you miss key clues about the road surface such as black ice, or warnings from other road users.
"Added to that is the distraction factor of anything you have banging away directly into your ears.
"Some types of music have been shown to make drivers speed and be more aggressive, and that intimate podcast you saved up could be so good you start thinking about it and not the road ahead.
"Just like eating at the wheel anything that reduces your attention could make you a hazard to yourself and other drivers and riders, and that’s careless driving in our, and the police’s, eyes.
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"It can be dealt with by a quick fixed penalty fine at the roadside so the chances of getting away with it if spotted are slim. So our advice is can the cans when driving."
So there you go.