Watch out! If you're a car passenger, you can also be fined

Whenever we get behind the wheel, we are aware that we could receive a fine. There are many reasons why officers of the Guardia Civil or the Local Police may issue a penalty: for speeding, for running a red light, for testing positive for alcohol… We must be aware that we have to comply with all obligations and avoid risks. But, although some people do not know it, passengers can also be fined.

The General Traffic Regulation states that “road users are obliged to behave in such a way that they do not unduly obstruct traffic or cause danger, harm or nuisance“. And according to this, “road users” are not only drivers, but passengers in vehicles travelling on the road are also considered as such. So, if they break any rule, they can be fined, regardless of whether they are driving or not.

It is more complicated to establish whether passengers commit this kind of behaviour that may result in a fine, but some of them are more common than others. These are some of the cases contemplated for fining passengers in a vehicle:

• Not wearing a seatbelt: This is probably the most common one. Wearing a seatbelt is compulsory for all occupants of the vehicle. If the passenger is not wearing it or is wearing it incorrectly, they may receive a fine of 200 euros. And if they are driving, it should be remembered that this entails the deduction of four points from the driving licence.
• Sitting improperly or with part of the body outside the vehicle: The correct way to sit is with your back against the seat and your feet in their place. If it is detected that the passenger has their feet on the dashboard or has part of their body outside the vehicle, they may be putting their safety at risk, so they may receive a fine for sitting improperly. If the passenger is sitting improperly, in the event of a sudden braking, they may suffer a serious impact and be seriously injured. And note that it is not only the passenger who can be fined, but also the driver. The driver is obliged to keep their field of vision clear and their freedom of movement. Because of the front passenger’s position, the officer may consider that the driver is not complying with this and issue a fine for this reason. The fine for the passenger in this case would be between 80 and 100 euros.
• Throwing rubbish or cigarette butts onto the road: It does not matter whether it is the driver or a passenger; throwing rubbish or cigarette butts onto the road can result in a fine of 500 euros. If it is the driver, it also entails the deduction of six points from the driving licence.

These are the most common, but passengers may also receive other fines if traffic officers consider that they are obstructing the driver while driving. Remember: even if you are a passenger, traffic rules also apply and if you do not comply with them, you may receive a considerable fine.