Driving in Spain

What is it like to drive here?
With about 12,000 kilometres (7,456 miles) of highways across Spain and another 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) of new motorways commissioned this year, it should be a driver’s dream, but the impatience of Spanish drivers when they get behind the wheel brings frequent horn blowing and light flashing, and can seem threatening.
Outside the main exodus from the cities at the beginning and end of Spain’s frequent holidays, the roads between cities are largely traffic-free with a maximum speed of 120kph on the autopistas and toll roads.
Spain has the third largest network of toll roads in Europe after Italy and France, and they can prove expensive, especially along the Costas when the price increases during the holiday season. The one near us goes up from 1.75 euro to 3.25 euro
Despite recent campaigns to curb speeding Spanish drivers only no one speed “what will this car do today!” It is not unusual to be overtaken by small cars  with 4 passengers. As for indicating forget it even the ex-pats don’t indicate now.
Road deaths have consistently dropped in recent years, falling last year by 13 per cent with a total of 1,897 mortalities. Road tax, set by individual municipalities depending on the size of the vehicle, has increased over the past decade, much to the disgust of Spaniards, but still remains among the lowest in western Europe, averaging between €80 and €150 for a mid-size family car.
The most serious offences, driving more than 30kph over the speed limit, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, dangerous driving, or exceeding the number of passengers permitted to ride in a vehicle, are all punished with the highest fines, which are between €300 and €1,500.
There is no concept of Traffic Wardens it is all policed by the Local Policia so offences for parking in dangerous places may result in fines between €90 and €300 and suspension of the licence for up to one month, but only if the Police can be bothered. Minor infractions, such as using mobile phones while driving, failing to wear a seat belt (both of which I see every day) - hold a penalty of up to €90.
Licence holders start with 12 points. Deductions include six points for drunk driving or driving more than 50 per cent over the designated speed limit, to three points for using a mobile phone.
Driving infractions can result in temporary suspension of licence for up to three months in the most serious cases. A driver who is fined three times for the most serious infractions within a period of two years could have their licence revoked and have to undertake a course covering traffic awareness and driver re-education.
Police are empowered to collect fines of up to €300 on the spot and radar controls are in place along the highways to monitor speeding and they will take you to a cash machine for the money if in a town!.