A rental car became stuck in the sand at Tenerife's Playa de Troya after a driver took a wrong turn. Bystanders eventually helped the driver free the vehicle, an event captured on video by Audrey Krivashov.

The Playa de Troya sand trap

Bystanders at Playa de las Américas gathered to assist a driver whose vehicle was bogged down in wet sand. As the report states, the driver attempted to maneuver the car, but the vehicle became hopelessly stuck, prompting nearly a dozen men to push the vehicle back to firmer ground.

The incident, which was filmed by onlooker Audrey Krivashov, has gained significant traction online. The video has since amassed over 121,000 views on social media, showing the rescue of the vehicle while sunbathers watched the scene unfold.

€1,000 fines for mobility scooter misuse

Tenerife authorities are implementing strict new penaties for the misuse of electric mobility scooters.. According to the report,British holidaymakers could face on-the-spot fines of up to €1,000 if they are caught using these vehicles improperly.

Local councillors in the Spanish tourist hotspot recently voted unanimously to enforce a 12mph speed limit on these vehicles. Offenders face fines of approximately £430, and new regulations require riders to carry insurance, wear helmets, and use either a bell or a fluorescent vest to ensure public visibility.

Preventing €6,000 taxpayer-funded rescues

The upcoming Civil Protection Law aims to protect local taxpayers from the high costs of emergency rescues caused by visitor negligence. This legislative shift comes as the Canary Islands deal with increasingly expensive and risky rescue operations in various natural areas.

A single rescue involving an emergency helicopter can cost roughly €6,000. By introducing a new sanctioning regime, the government intends to ensure that those whose recklessness necessitates lifeguard or emergency interventions are held financially responsible rather than the local public.

The ambiguity of new medical documentation rules

The specific criteria for the new medical documentation requirements for younger scooter renters remain unclear. while the report mentions that some rental providers are now demanding proof of disability to access vehicles, it does not specify the exact age threshold or the types of documentation required.

It is also unknown how the local authorities will monitor these rental checks or if there will be a standardized verification process across the island.. This lack of detail leaves both tourists and rental agencies in a state of uncertainty regarding the new compliance standards.