Civil Guard officer José Carlos warns of the dangerous behavior of co-pilots: "The responsibility lies with the driver."

Summer is here, and with it the holidays for many citizens who begin their journeys on Spain's roads . It's time to relax, forget about work, and dedicate time to oneself or one's family. However, this peace of mind behind the wheel can't be reduced to a loss of attention . Driving is always about alertness, and alertness always means safety, so during the summer season , you must be aware of everything that may happen on the road, and also inside the vehicle.

During this period, it's normal to have a busier car than usual, whether traveling with friends, as a couple, or with the entire family. Furthermore, if we add long commutes or short trips to the beach or countryside, postures tend to change, either due to exhaustion or complete relaxation . Thus, one of the most common behaviors is putting one's feet up on the car's dashboard. This danger can cause very serious health impacts in the event of an accident, but also a fine or penalty.

Fine for putting your feet on the dashboard: Who is responsible?

Placing your feet on the dashboard violates Article 18 of the General Traffic Regulations (RGC) : all vehicle occupants must maintain a correct posture , and the driver is legally responsible. This is according to José Carlos Conde, a traffic police officer, on the TikTok account of expert Román Álvarez.

"It's a little strange, but the responsibility lies with the driver," he says in the video. The officer thus recalls the established rule, which makes the driver responsible for ensuring everyone inside the vehicle behaves in a manner that ensures safety. Failure to do so could result in a €100 fine, but would not result in the loss of points.

Furthermore, adopting this position could seriously harm the vehicle occupant in the event of an accident . When the car hits and the airbags deploy, the body's movement would not be as normal, which could cause serious leg fractures, hip displacement, and spinal damage , among other issues.

Other sanctions included in article 18 of the RGC

Article 18 of the RGC states that drivers "are obliged to maintain their own freedom of movement, the necessary field of vision, and constant attention to driving , which guarantee their own safety, that of the other occupants of the vehicle, and that of other road users."

Furthermore, the regulations also stipulate "the proper placement of transported objects or animals so that there is no interference between the driver and any of them." Therefore, luggage must also fit into the car without obstructing the driver's view of the road or occupying rear seats, which carries a fine of 200 euros . Pets cannot be transported without the appropriate seat belt harness , as the fine can range from 80 to 500 euros .