Drivers are being reminded to buckle up as traffic authorities step up seatbelt checks in Spain. The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) has launched a special campaign to check the use of seatbelts and child restraint systems (CRS).
The campaign will run until Sunday, 15 March, with increased checks on both urban streets and intercity roads.
More roadside checks and aerial surveillance
During the campaign, officers from the Guardia Civil traffic division, together with regional and local police forces, will be carrying out more roadside checks.
Importantly, all occupants in a vehicle may be checked, whether they are sitting in the front or rear seats.
Monitoring will also be stepped up using:
• traffic surveillance helicopters and drones
• automated cameras on major roads
• monitoring systems on conventional roads and HOV lanes
The aim is simple: increase seatbelt use and reduce serious injuries in road accidents.
A simple habit that saves lives
Seat belts remain one of the most effective safety measures in a vehicle.
According to the DGT traffic safety data:
- Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by around 50%
- In rollover accidents, it reduces fatalities by up to 77%
- On urban roads, the risk of serious injury or death is five times lower when wearing a seatbelt
Despite this, DGT road accident statistics still show that some passengers are travelling without them.
In 2025, provisional data showed that 157 people killed in cars and vans on interurban roads in Spain were not wearing a seatbelt or using a child restraint system at the time of the crash.
Across Europe, experts estimate that 25% to 50% of people killed in cars were not wearing seatbelts.
Why rear seat belts matter too
The DGT say many people still underestimate the importance of wearing a seatbelt in the back of the car.
However, in a frontal collision, an unrestrained rear passenger can be thrown forward with enough force to seriously injure or kill someone in the front seat.
Studies show that the risk of a rear passenger fatally striking a front-seat occupant can increase up to eight times if they are not wearing a seatbelt.
Rules for children travelling in cars
For children, a standard seatbelt is not enough. They must travel using an appropriate child restraint system (CRS) designed for their height and weight.
In Spain:
- Children 135 cm tall or under must use a child seat
- They must normally travel in the rear seats unless specific legal exceptions apply
When used correctly, child restraint systems reduce the risk of death or serious injury by 55% to 60% and can prevent nine out of ten serious or fatal injuries.
However, authorities warn that incorrect installation or using the wrong size seat is still common.
Fines and penalty points
Spanish traffic law requires the correct use of seat belts and child restraint systems at all times.
Failing to wear a seatbelt, or using one incorrectly, is classified as a serious offence.
Drivers caught breaking the rule face:
- a €200 fine
- four points deducted from their Driving Licence
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