The General Directorate of Traffic continues to fight so that the risk on the roads continues to decrease. One of the elements that generate danger is the fact that such a large quantity of ‘zombie cars’, so that the DGT has decided to take action on the matter to prosecute them.
The ‘zombie cars’ are those who circulate on Spanish roads temporarily canceled, a measure that vehicle owners are allowed to adopt when they they will be without being used for a long time so as not to have to face certain expenses such as the road tax or the insurance payment.
However, if a temporarily decommissioned vehicle continues to circulate or parked on public roads, it is when it becomes a ‘zombie car’. And, according to a study by Línea Directa, the amount could exceed 2.6 million in a fleet of vehicles around 30 million, according to the latest data. That is, there could be about 10% more vehicles circulating without being registered than those that are accounted for in Spain.
Annual renewal of the leave
As announced by the DGT, a modification of the General Vehicle Regulations which consists of the establishment of a time limit of one year from when the temporary withdrawal is requested. After that period, If an extension is not requested, the vehicle will automatically re-register and it will oblige the owner to bear the consequent costs.
This request for an extension, in addition, must be requested a maximum of two months in advance of the end of the withdrawal date. According to the DGT, “this measure It will serve to avoid the abusive use of the temporary withdrawal that some workshops carried out in order to evade the obligation to take a vehicle to an Authorized Treatment Center (CAT) at the end of its useful life ”. In Spain, these casualties have doubled since 2004, going from 60.982 that year to 132.459 in 2019.
In addition, the DGT informs, This measure is taken after the European Commission urged the States to take measures “on the administrative procedures for temporary leave” and “the improvement of the knowledge of the information of the Vehicle Registry”.
Fines and dangers
Fines for driving ‘zombie cars’ can exceed the total amount of 3,000 euros, as circulate without insurance carries a fine of 2,500 euros, do it with a car decommissioned supposes a fine of 500 euros and do it without the ITV in order it can have a penalty of 200 euros.
In addition, dangers involved in driving a ‘zombie car’ are diverse. First of all, it is a danger for the driver and for the rest of the vehicles, since it is a car whose good condition is not insured not having passed the ITV. In addition, driving without insurance can generate very serious costs for the driver in the event of an accident.
They also harm the environment for the same reason. There are times when a driver does not fix his car for the money that the repairs cost and it continues to circulate generating higher emissions.