One cigarette could cost you €500 and six licence points

You’ve packed your car, set the sat-nav, and finally, you’re on the highway, away from the city traffic. You light a smoke, drive for a while, and then throw the cigarette out the window. It is a habit that still catches many drivers out, but in Spain it could leave you €500 poorer and six licence points down before your holiday has even begun.

The Guardia Civil in Spain has increased road safety campaigns to remind motorists of the dangers associated with throwing a cigarette stub from a moving car. According to Spanish traffic laws, this is a serious offense because it can be dangerous for both road users as well as the environment.

Anyone planning a summer road trip should keep this rule in mind before turning the key.

Why Spain takes one cigarette stub so seriously

Some drivers still consider throwing a cigarette through the window a harmless action. In Spain’s long and hot summers the consequences are devastating.

During heatwaves, dry grass, roadside vegetation, and woodland can all ignite within seconds. According to Spain’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition, discarded cigarettes butts cause around 3% of forest fires.

Guardia Civil reinforced this message recently on social media by issuing a simple alert. A cigarette thrown from a vehicle can cost €500 and six points on your driving licence, but far more importantly, it could start a wildfire with devastating consequences.

The warning comes just as thousands of holidaymakers drive through dry areas to reach Spain’s beaches and rural destinations.

The fines are higher than drivers think

Summer driving is a time when speeding is the most common offence. However, throwing objects out of a car can have equally harsh penalties.

The Spanish traffic law prohibits drivers to throw any object that could cause a road fire or compromise road safety onto the road or its surrounding area. The cigarette butts were mentioned as they pose both dangers.

The penalty is:

• €500 fine
• Six points are lost on your licence

The punishment has been significantly increased. Before changes to the traffic law introduced in 2021, the same offence carried a €200 fine and four penalty points. The increased penalty was introduced to reflect the severe consequences that a single act of carelessness can have in Spain’s increasingly dry and hot summers.

It does not matter if a fire is actually ignited. If the authorities detect the act, they can impose a fine for simply throwing the cigarette out of the car.

When a fire is started, the results are much worse

The financial penalty would ruin summer vacations for most drivers. The situation is different if the discarded cigarette ignites a forest fire.

At this point, the incident could move beyond traffic law into Spain’s Criminal Code. Those responsible for causing an wildfire can face criminal prosecution. Prison sentences of three to six year may be applicable depending on the circumstances.

Guardia Civil has always focused on prevention over enforcement. Each summer, Guardia Civil officers remind drivers that many fires can be prevented by simply avoiding minor mistakes.

Saving money is not the only thing that can be achieved by a few seconds of attention

Driving in Spain during the summer is not without its challenges. Heavy traffic, high temperatures and long motorway trips all require extra concentration.

Guardia Civil advises drivers to consider the habits they have inside their cars. It is safer to keep a cigarette in the car if you are smoking while driving. While it may seem like a hassle, the alternative is to risk a fine and/or contribute to a devastating wildfire.

Throwing a cigarette out the window is a gesture that many drivers have repeated over and over again. Spanish authorities are asking motorists to take a different approach.

Remember this : One careless flick of the hand could end your journey with a €500 fine, six points gone from your licence and consequences far beyond anything you expected.