From October 1, 2026, Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) will enforce new traffic regulations targeting persistent risks to people on foot, while also tightening rules for cyclists and motorcyclists. Formalized under Real Decreto 518/2026, the changes respond to a decade of troubling statistics: between 2014 and 2023, pedestrians accounted for 20% of all road fatalities in Spain, information from Línea Directa.
One major change concerns traffic lights at pedestrian crossings. The DGT will end the current overlap in which vehicles face a flashing amber light while pedestrians see green. Common near roundabouts and intersections, this combination has caused confusion and contributed to crashes. Thirty percent of pedestrian collisions occur at crosswalks, with excessive speed and driver distraction among the leading causes. Under the new rules, vehicles will face a red light whenever pedestrians are allowed to cross, removing ambiguity and reinforcing pedestrian priority.
The reforms also go beyond traffic signals. The DGT will give legal status to “safe school routes,” formally defining and protecting pathways for children traveling to and from school. The move aims to encourage safer, more independent mobility for young students.
Cyclists will have to wear helmets at all times, regardless of the type of road. Motorcyclists face stricter requirements: they may use the right shoulder during traffic jams only on marked stretches, at speeds no higher than 30 km/h. Protective gloves will be mandatory on interurban roads, while closed footwear will be required everywhere, including city streets. Violations will carry a €200 fine.
Users of personal mobility vehicles (VMP), including electric scooter riders, will also face tighter controls. Riders must be at least 15 years old and wear a helmet at all times. They must also use a reflective vest at night or in low-visibility conditions. Failing to follow the helmet or vest rules will incur a €200 penalty.
The changes are part of a wider effort to modernize Spain’s road safety structure. As elespanol motor notes, the DGT’s approach draws on accident data and the need to clarify priorities at critical points such as crosswalks. Its focus on vulnerable road users echoes concerns elsewhere in Spanish mobility policy, including ongoing problems with vehicle inspections and lighting standards highlighted in recent analyses of Spain’s ITV inspection outcomes.
The new rules will not take effect until autumn 2026, but their announcement points to stricter road policies with greater protections. The DGT’s reforms are expected to affect daily commutes and Spain’s broader road-safety culture, with particular attention to those most at risk.
