Jasmine Harman, star of A Place in the Sun, fined for driving in Spain by CSN News

Jasmine who moved to Spain from UK was fined by Spanish police for touching the infotainment display of her car while using Apple CarPlay.

Harman posted a video on Instagram on February 6 to tell her 219,000 followers her story.
“Many of you may not be aware – I was not aware – that if you’re driving in your car, you cannot touch your screen even if you are using CarPlay.”

She stated: “I believed that’s what CarPlay is for: to allow you to control your incoming telephone calls, maps, music, and anything else, from the screen, without touching your hand-held phone. It seems that this is not allowed as well. You are not allowed to touch your car’s screen. I’ve just received a €100 fine, so I thought I would let everyone else know. “Everyday is a schoolday.” (Citation by The Daily Express.)

What is Apple CarPlay?

Apple CarPlay integrates your iPhone into the infotainment system of your car, so you can access navigation, music, calls and messages without having to touch anything. The system can be controlled by voice commands or steering-wheel controls.

What are the Spanish rules for using CarPlay or car infotainment systems?

Spanish laws forbid drivers to touch the infotainment display of a vehicle while driving. This is true even if you are using it to control navigation, or make a phone call. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto may be legal in Spain. However, they must only be used hands-free.

According to Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), distractions are a leading cause of road accidents, accounting for over 30 per cent of all crashes. This includes the use of mobile phones, hands-free systems, and other devices that require physical interaction.

Drivers who are caught manually using a device risk being fined and losing between 3 and 6 points on their licence depending on the severity. Foreign drivers who cannot prove their residency in Spain may be required to pay fines immediately.

What are UK regulations for CarPlay?

UK drivers are allowed to use touchscreens as long they remain safe. UK Highway Code encourages drivers to use voice commands when possible. However, touching the screen on a touchscreen is not prohibited. If a driver’s “proper control” of the vehicle is not deemed, they may be fined and given six penalty points or, in more serious cases, even banned from driving.

Jasmine Harman’s €100 fine for using Apple CarPlay

Harman’s Instagram posting sparked a debate amongst her followers. Many questioned the logic behind this fine. One user asked “So, in that case what do you do with a Tesla and most other new cars which have touchscreen controls?”

Another comment: “If we cannot touch a screen should we avoid adjusting air conditioning, fan speeds, or radio?”

Harman’s story is a warning to expats, tourists and others unfamiliar with Spanish traffic laws.