It’s a lot of people’s misfortune, but it’s like this: you’re not the only one who has been fined in Barcelona. On the contrary, the city does not stop fining and according to the latest data, in 2023 it imposed almost 936,000 traffic fines, which is equivalent to almost two fines per minute throughout the year.
The figure represents an increase of 4% over 2022 and translates into a total collection of 100 million euros, according to data from the municipal portal of dades obertes.
Cars and motorcycles
Passenger cars continue to be the main protagonists (or the biggest victims) of fines: 619,114 sanctions, that is, two out of three fines.
Motorcycles, however, take up an increasing portion of the volume of fines, with more than 86,000 infractions, or 15% more than in previous years.
Penalties for cabs (+3.4%) and trucks (+2%) also increased, although to a lesser extent. On the other hand, fines for mopeds (down 20%), bicycles (down 3.6%) and vans (down 6%) fell. Although those for scooters are starting to rise, even SUVs fined have dropped slightly.
The ZBE, fewer and fewer fines
Fines related to the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), one of the most troubled points in recent years, also continue to decline: 62,690 sanctions, 9.5% less than in 2022 and up to 30% less if compared to 2021.
The most common violations continue to be those related to improper parking or poor circulation, and represent more than half of the total.
However, some 29,000 fines resulted in the loss of license points: in 10,000 cases, 6 points were withdrawn at once. And while that happens, the municipal tow truck does not rest: it acted on more than 60,000 occasions, that is, almost seven cars removed every hour.
How much does the city council earn from traffic fines?
The City Council collected almost 100 million euros in fines, with an average of 106 euros per fine. Passenger cars alone brought in more than 62 million, but the fastest growing collection is from motorcycles, which generated 10.5 million euros, 10% more than the previous year.
To be understood, this figure is approximately equivalent to the construction of two CAPS ( about 50 million each) or, better, to the payment of a full year’s rent of about 5,000 apartments costing 1,600 euros per month.