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Fines for using a mobile phone at the wheel soar in Catalonia and police prepare six large-scale controls
In just two years, penalties for distractions at the wheel have risen by almost 37% in Catalonia. Using WhatsApp while driving is one of the main reasons. Mossos d'Esquadra have announced six large-scale controls in the coming weeks.
Who hasn’t felt tempted to check their phone at a red light? In Catalonia, that habit is getting more and more expensive: fines for distracted driving have risen by almost 37% in just two years. While 20,211 penalties were recorded in 2023, the forecast for 2025 already points to 27,603 drivers caught in the act.
According to the Mossos d'Esquadra, the main culprit has a name: WhatsApp. Using a mobile phone while driving—especially instant messaging—has become the leading distraction on Catalan roads. It’s not just about calls: reading or replying to messages, voice notes, and group chats can be very costly if done on the move.
In response to this increase, the regional police have no intention of standing by. In the coming weeks, the Mossos will set up six large-scale checkpoints at various points on Catalonia’s road network. The aim is clear: to catch those who can’t wait until they reach their destination to reply to a message. No dates or locations have been specified, but the warning has been issued.
Distracted driving isn’t unique to Catalonia, but here the numbers have risen especially quickly. While foreign investment in Spain continues to evolve, as recently reported, road safety faces its own challenge: ensuring that technology doesn’t become an everyday danger on the roads.
The sharp rise in fines in such a short time is no coincidence. Surveillance has increased, and drivers’ habits don’t always keep pace with the rules. Digital immediacy clashes head-on with the patience required behind the wheel. If the Mossos are making anything clear with these new controls, it’s that the phone, at least while driving, will have to wait.