The police have announced that they will set up road checks at "prominent places" in order to discourage people getting into their cars after a Xmas drink, not only at night but also during the day, especially after lunches when many will have a drink or two.... In fact, they should just wait outside bars and cafes where you can see the builders stopping for a coffee and brandy on the way to work -  at 8am in the morning! Or at 10am they have a "bocadillo" break where they will happily wash down their breakfast with a beer or two.

It can be quite daunting if you approach a police road check.... the Guardia Civil go out in force and will have coned off the road into a single file through which you have to pass very slowly. They will more than likely have guns and stingers ready to throw down incase someone decides to ignore their request to slow down or stop - and they are certainly NOT afraid to use them let me assure you.

Take the sensible option!

But on a serious note, be careful. In my opinion - DON´T! If you are going to have a drink then take a taxi... It may appear to be an expense you can not afford, but if you loose your license, are fined and/or sent to prison for a number of months, then that 15 or 20 euro taxi fare didn´t seem so bad in comparison!

They are also probably likely to target foreign plated cars which could lead onto further headaches, such as why if you are living here you have not transferred the registration onto Spanish plates! This is compulsory by law after 6 months and your car could technically be impounded. You will then be fined  plus forced to transfer the car onto Spanish plates. The Guardia Civil do not mess about, they generally do not speak any English and appealing takes an awfully long time and can be a costly procedure.

The road checks in the Benidorm area will continue until 23rd December in collaboration with the Guardia Civil Traffico unit, but other areas are also likely to have patrols out.