DGT cracks down on WhatsApp checkpoint alerts
Fines up to €30,000 for warning about police alcohol and drug checkpoints
If you're in one of those WhatsApp or Telegram groups that ping alerts about police checkpoints, it might be time to think again. The DGT has launched a determined effort across Spain to identify and shut down groups that tip off drivers about mobile radar positions and, especially, alcohol and drug checks. The message is clear: belonging is fine, but sending warnings could land you a fine from €601 up to a hefty €30,000.For many, these groups have become a familiar part of driving life here, with thousands of members across local areas receiving instant notifications about speed cameras or Guardia Civil stops. Typically, one driver spots a checkpoint and posts the exact location, giving others seconds to slow down, take a detour or prepare themselves. While some see it as helpful information sharing, the DGT views these alerts as a direct threat to road safety.
The distinction matters. It's perfectly legal to warn about fixed speed cameras, since the DGT publishes their locations precisely so drivers know where to be cautious. However, posting about mobile alcohol or drug checkpoints crosses the line. These warnings undermine efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads, which is why they now carry serious penalties. Group administrators and frequent posters face the highest fines, and since everything is recorded with timestamps and user details, tracking offenders is straightforward for authorities.
Recent action shows they're serious. On Saturday January 4 in Ibiza, the Guardia Civil reported a woman who used Telegram to alert others about a nearby traffic checkpoint. She now faces a penalty for this offence. Simple membership without posting carries no risk, but the DGT warns that these groups make it easier for dangerous drivers to evade detection and stay on the road.
The logic behind the crackdown makes sense when you consider the stakes. Drunk or drugged drivers are among the biggest killers on Spanish roads, and anything that helps them slip through checks directly endangers everyone else. If you're currently in one of these groups, staying silent keeps you legal, but if you´re worried then leaving altogether avoids any doubt.
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