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Loose load: fines in Spain for carrying the shopping on the back seat

Unsecured items, like grocery bags, aren’t allowed on the back seat of the car and will result in a fine in Spain

A big shopping spree often involves packing the car to the brim with bags and boxes – anyone who’s ever been to IKEA will understand. If the boot is full, it seems like common sense to place any additional purchases on the back seat but in Spain, where the DGT are coming down heavy on practices that hinder road safety, this could land you with a costly fine.

Essentially, having unsecured bags or packages on the back seat poses a risk to the driver, passengers and other road users, according to the Traffic authorities, and the owner of the vehicle will be slapped with a 200-euro sanction if stopped by the police. Even groceries in the back of the car are a no-no, since article 14 of the General Traffic Regulations (RGC) stipulates that any cargo must not “drag, fall totally or partially, or move in a dangerous way”.

It’s also important not to try to reposition or secure any items while behind the wheel, as this could be construed as a road safety risk, which is punishable with a fine of 80 euros. Having something fall off of or out of your vehicle is actually considered a very serious offence given the danger it poses to other drivers, and will cost you more than 200 euros.

Safety risks

Impairs the driver’s vision: Transporting very large packages can reduce the driver’s field of vision and will result in a fine.
The elephant effect: Carrying loose objects in the car can be very dangerous. In motion, an object’s mass can multiply by 50 or 60 times, so when braking at 60km/h, a one kilo package would have a force equivalent to 60 kilos.
Limits freedom of movement: If you drive with large objects inside the car, they can limit the driver's movements and compromise their ability to drive and react in an emergency.
Jammed pedals: Small objects can easily roll under the driver’s feet, creating a huge hazard if the pedals become blocked.
Overloading the vehicle: Travelling with an excess load increases stopping distance, slows down acceleration and modifies vehicle dynamics as well as tire reaction.

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Image: Freepik

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