Media coverage makes it clear to us every day that increasing environmental pollution affects each and every one of us and is already a significant problem. Offenses that unnecessarily drive pollution are not a trivial offense. Spain is currently experiencing this and now has to live with the corresponding countermeasures.
Radical measures
Barcelona is resorting to radical measures to curb air pollution: According to Spiegel Online, vehicles are to be banned from the streets (from 07:00 to 20:00 on weekdays) to reduce exhaust emissions. This affects all petrol cars registered before the year 2000 and all diesel cars registered before 2006. Around 50,000 vehicles are expected to be affected by the ban every day.
Outside the ban period, all vehicles are allowed on the road. Between 2010 and 2017, there were apparently an average of 424 deaths per year in Barcelona due to poor air quality.
Delivery vans and buses are also expected to be affected by this ban from 2021.
Hefty fines for non-compliance
Anyone who drives a prohibited vehicle on the road during the ban period will face hefty fines (up to 150 euros per offense). In order to catch the "offenders", the capital is relying on modern camera technology, which will monitor traffic from now on and detect offenses. Apparently, the vehicles affected by the ban will be allowed to drive into the city unhindered exactly ten times a year, even during the banned periods. Cars registered outside of Spain can apply for a special permit from the city council.
How exactly the authorities in Spain came up with the specific restrictions on the year of manufacture is beyond our knowledge.
What do you think?
Do you think these rules are justified? Or do you feel disadvantaged because the "newer" cars are not affected by this restriction? Let us know your opinion in the comments!