The Guàrdia Urbana of Barcelona has arrested a man for attacking road safety. The arrested person was traveling on a rental motorcycle through the Catalan capital accompanied by a minor. Both were without helmets, the adult using a mobile phone and letting the girl drive the scooter.
The police have shared a video on social networks in which the minor and the man appear in broad daylight, who has been brought to justice once he was identified and who faces prison sentences for this reckless action.
The General Traffic Regulations make explicit in its article 12 that any child over 12 years of age can legally ride as a passenger on a motorcycle as long as he or she wears an approved helmet appropriate to his or her size, occupies the rear seat of a motorcycle approved for two occupants – he/she will never be able to stand between the pilot and the handlebars – as in the case of the detainee and the girl in the Catalan capital – and fall sitting astride and his feet resting well on the footrests.
The law also provides for an age exception for boys or girls over 7 years of age, who may ride motorcycles or mopeds as long as they are driven by their father, mother, legal guardian or duly authorized persons of legal age. The fine for breaking the regulations is 200 euros, although in this case there is the aggravating factor that the minor, like the adult, was not wearing a helmet and was in charge of driving.
The current traffic code establishes penalties of up to six points and 200 euros for using a mobile phone while moving. If all the violations are added, the total fine is expected to be much higher for the driver of the rental motorcycle.
