Summer is a time that we associate with relaxation and disconnection, with more idle and enjoyable activities. Now, this appeals to enjoying a vacation period where you ignore routine and work obligations, but in no case can we afford to neglect responsibility behind the wheel.
There are certain sanctions that, although they are applied throughout the year, are much more recurrent in the summer season. In addition, it must be taken into account that at this time we usually spend more time behind the wheel, to go to plans, to the beach, the pool or other bathing areas, as well as to go on vacation trips.
For example, perhaps you are unaware that sticking your elbow out of the window or eating while driving imply fines, since they reduce your attention, your freedom of movement and your ability to control the vehicle. To these we must add the sanctions related to our clothing, which you must take into account if you want to avoid a fine that will ruin your summer vacation.
First of all, it must be clarified that in the General Traffic Regulations (RGC) there is no specific mention in any section of the clothing that a driver must wear. However, this does not mean that you can drive dressed in any indifferent way. You should know that driving with a swimsuit, without a shirt, wrapped in a towel or wearing flip-flops -all of them very common this season, when we go to or come from a bathing area-, can lead to a sanction.
If we turn to article 17 of the General Traffic Regulations, we will see that the first heading reads "drivers must be able to control their vehicles or animals at all times". To this we must add article 18.1, where it can be read that "the driver of a vehicle is obliged to maintain his own freedom of movement, the necessary field of vision and permanent attention to driving, to guarantee his own safety, that of the rest of the occupants of the vehicle and that of other road users".
Thus, although both articles do not specifically mention the driver's clothing, they do include the interpretation that certain clothing prevents optimum control of the vehicle and freedom of movement behind the wheel. Thus, it is up to the authorities of the authority to consider the severity of the sanction, which can range from 80 to 200 euros if it is severe.
This is so because driving without a shirt and in a swimsuit, or covered with a towel, increases the risk of distracting other road users, or of suffering burns from the rubbing of the seat belt. In the same way, driving with flip flops prevents the correct grip and adherence of the foot and could pose a problem when it comes to depressing the pedals properly.
