Palma Local Police have reported a 28-year-old man for drunk driving and falling asleep at the wheel while driving on Avenidas, the main road through the centre of Palma. The incident occurred last Sunday at around 7:40 a.m. on Alexandre Rosselló Avenue, when a report was received about a car that was stationary in the middle of the road and obstructing traffic, according to a statement issued by the Local Police.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed the vehicle with the engine running and the windows fogged up. Inside were three people fast asleep. After waking the occupants, the officers managed to get the driver to react. The individual showed clear signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Given these indications, he was given a breath test, which showed a result of 0.76 mg/l of exhaled air.
After carrying out the relevant checks, the officers found that the man already had a police record for a previous road safety offence. As he exceeded the limit of 0.60 mg/l, a report was filed for an alleged offence against road safety. The vehicle was removed by the municipal tow truck and the suspect was summoned to a summary trial before the Duty Magistrate’s Court.
As of 2025, Spain has introduced significantly lower legal limits to align with the strictest European standards. The limit has dropped from 0.5 g/l to 0.2 g/l in blood (and from 0.25 mg/l to 0.10 mg/l in breath). Spain enforces a zero-tolerance (0.0 g/l) policy for minors operating any vehicle, including e-scooters and mopeds.
Sanctions are determined by how much you exceed the limit and your driving history. Low Excess (0.2 – 0.5 g/l) results in a €200 fine and loss of 2 points from your license. Moderate Excess (0.5 – 1.2 g/l): Fines increase to €1,000 with a loss of 6 points and over 1.2 g/l in blood or 0.60 mg/l in breath is treated as a crime and can lead to imprisonment (3–6 months), heavy court-mandated fines, and a driving ban of 1 to 4 years. Refusing a test is a serious criminal offense that can carry a €2,000 fine, immediate license suspension, and potential jail time.