As usual, the Sol Times has printed the first bit of rumour it gets without bothering to check the facts. This appeared today top of page 3 in a big red box:
Thanks to Bruce Hobday of the Cantoria Residents Association who sent us the following:
Maria Luisa (Policia Local of Arboleas) has checked with Tráfico in Almeria who have confirmed the following:
British Citizens who are resident in ALMERIA and who hold an up to date EU driving license do not require a medical certificate to validate the licence. This applies to all ages.
The new law that was introduced in May 2009 IS NOT being applied by the Almeria Authorities.
However, if you are stopped or have an accident driving out of Almeria province, mid-Spain or North, or even Ikea in Murcia province, not sure how we would be affected? This is still a grey area and we are trying to confirm the law.
Well, Bruce and the Sol Times, you wouldn’t be affected, because if anybody bothered to read the damn law you’d see that it ‘s currently in Vacatio Legalis until the 8th of December.
So until the 8th, you don’t need a medical. After the 8th, you need a medical. Clear?
Later-> Chatted to Bruce, who confirmed that the bit came out of his last newsletter he sent round to the Cantoria Residents Association (http://www.residentsinspain.com/). In response to an allegation of being “acerbic” I’d like to point out I have laryngitis and am Not In Good Humour.
..I think you’ll find the initial ‘rumour’ was a result of a letter from a reader being printed, therefore the only fault of the Sol Times is that they actually print their reader letters – shock, horror!
Actually, it was a big box with a red border marked IMPORTANT! on top of page three (first thing you see when the paper is opened), and after talking to Bruce (nice fella by the way) he confirmed that this was just mentioned in passing to the S.T.
…yes, but the initial ‘medical certificate’ thingy was started by a reader…unlike you, I can read and do proper research before I start accusing people of spreading rumours!
…your ‘bad mood’ is still no excuse for unwieldy accusations. Thanks for clearing the ‘law’ up – surely it would have been a better use of your knowledge to let the Sol Times know of their error instead of using your own blog?
Can’t see why. Am I a researcher for the Sol Times? Am I paid a stipend? Are you accusing me of having more readers to this blog than the S.T.?
They want to print stuff about Spain, they should employ someone who has a basic knowledge about Spain and the law to check these things.
The Sol Times has a “Letters” page, and this should have been printed there. Had they done so all would have been fine.
Instead, it was printed in a big red box on page three and presented as factual story, researched and confirmed with the Police.
That is not only unprofessional, it has no doubt caused much public alarm. The law is not open to debate, it is not open to discussion or rumor – the law is a fact, it is there in black and white and freely available to all to read, understand and obey.
…You really aren’t in good humour are you! I just think that if you feel so strongly about this then it is in the public interest to portray such information in a serious manner – think that’s where we got off on the wrong foot!
I’ll go and eat humble pie shall I?
No, need for that, just the inflamed throat talking (as I can’t!)
The actual law is around 115 pages long and modifies quite a large chunk of the current Spanish road traffic regulations.
Incorrect information given out about it will cost people money (in fines), points on their license and, in worse case situations, leave them uncovered by insurance.
Incorrect presentation of the subject also leaves a bad impression of the Spanish State – for example, traffic laws are national and governed by the DGT, and it is impossible for Almería to implement them in a different way to Murcia.
So, I think this is one of those topics where a “reputable” source such as a newspaper -where, rightly or wrongly, readers assume information printed is always correct- can do a lot of good or a lot of damage.
…grrrr…have to agree with you there!!!!
Hi – I hate to intrude on this little spat – but precisely what do we need to get b4 December in the way of a medical certfiicate and where do we get it from – I live in Alfaix????
I have read, and re-read my post to the CRA, and therer is no way anyone could read into it anything other than the fact I was quoting an article from http://www.arboleasnow.com/page_1.html, quoting the statement that the local Arboleas Police officer had stated the medical certificate was not required by the Almeria Police.
Quote:
Maria-Luisa (Policia Local, Arboleas) has contacted Trafico in Almeria who have confirmed the following.
British citizens who are resident in ALMERIA and who hold a valid up to date UK EU photo driving licence do NOT require a medical certificate to validate the licence.
This applies to all ages.
The new law that was introduced in May 2009 is not being applied by the Almeria authorities.
This statement is still on the site. I went on to say that this was a grey area, and was still being looked into, and this was quoted in full by the Sol Times. (how, where, and why, I find petulent) I cannot see in anyway how my comments or those quoted in the Sol Times, could be misinterpreted?
I always qualify statements to CRA members, that I cannot be held responsible for information I pass on, and they should interpret such as they see fit.
I feel sure this is the case with all interested parties who do there best to pass on information.
Bruce