In-car child protection laws to be hardened

Study shows deaths of under-14s are mainly the result of not using proper protection

MADRID A recent announcement by the Road Safety prosecutor (fiscal), Bartolomé Vargas, says that parents or guardians could lose their guardianship if they are charged at least three times for failing to protect a child according to law. The special prosecutor has said 'instructions will be given' to the traffic authorities so that when a third infraction is committed, the local Road Safety prosecutor is notified. This office will then evaluate the circumstances of the three infractions and appropriate measures will be taken. In case of death of a minor in a vehicle involved in an accident the prosecutor can order an autopsy to determine if death could have been avoided with the proper use of seat belts and/or child car seats. If so, the driver and/or parent could be charged with what in Spaish law is called 'imprudent homicide' or 'imprudent damage'. Prosecution under these circumstances (i.e. criminal) could mean>>>

The Night Owl Bus for Campo summer nights

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR We told you just the other day that the Campo's Public Transport Consortium was establishing a night time bus schedule for the safety of our Yoof. Now it has a name: Búho Bus, running under the (Spanish) slogan 'This summer, don't take the car out at night. I'LL TAKE YOU!' You can see the full schedule if you click on the image. Information on fares for this service, which runs from June 15 (Tonight!) to September 15, is below.>>>

Weekend nights bus service for the coastal area during the summer

Algeciras Bay

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR The Public Transport Consortium for the Campo announced that it would be setting up a bus line that joins up La Línea, San Roque, Algeciras and Tarifa on weekend nights, beginning on June 15 and ending on September 15. This according to Dolres Hillmer, Councillor for Youth at La Línea, who heard the news at a meeting of her colleagues called by the consortium. Although the exact schedule has not yet been finalised, the idea is to transport youth safely on Friday and Saturday nights. The service will also have a guard aboard every bus. However, there is no news of any similar service for the towns further inland, Jimena and Castellar, or whether Los Barrios is included in the line. (Prospero comment: The two inland municipalities have has much youth, proportionately, as anywhere else. Are their lives any less valuable?)

Shipments of 'shocking' lighters, laser pointers, catapults and imitation switch blades confiscated from local bazaars

LOS BARRIOS (Agencies) The Local Police confiscated several boxes of material on sale at various 'multi-price bazaars' that allegedly contravene numerous health and safety regulations, including some relating to the carrying of arms. The confiscation took place at various such establishments at the edge of the A-7 road, at the entrance to Los Palmones shopping estate, which have been under strict surveillance for importing illegal material. The confiscated items include laser pointers and lighters that give an electric shock; laser pointers disguised as toys; variously sized imitation switchblades and Japanese swords that also emit an electric shock or laser beams; imitation pens that emit laser beams and toy guns with electric shocks.