Millions of holidaymakers hit the roads
Motorists urged to plan their journeys and follow traffic updates
A TOTAL of 16 million car journeys are due to take place in Spain over the Easter holidays, according to the national traffic department (DGT).
Their special operation for the busy festive period runs until April 10.
The DGT has insisted on the importance of keeping to the speed limit, not drink driving and avoiding any other ‘risky behaviour’ which could put lives at risk.
They reminded that last year during the same period 27 people were killed in road traffic accidents around the country.
“This holiday period is one of the most complicated of the year due to the large number of car journeys that take place in a short period of time,” noted a spokesperson.
And many of the motorists are heading for the same destinations, principally coastal towns and resorts, often on the same days and
at similar times; with the same scenario repeated for the return journeys.
The first phase of the operation took place at the weekend when 4.3 million trips were due to be made.
The ‘larger’ second phase started yesterday (Wednesday) and runs until Monday (April 10), which is a bank holiday in six regions – Valencia, Cataluña, the Balearics, Basque Country, La
Rioja and Navarra.
The DGT will be using all the means at its disposal to ensure that drivers are not breaking traffic laws.
Helicopters and drones will be flying over the busiest roads and they will be using unmarked cars to catch motorists who are using mobile phones at the wheel or not wearing seatbelts.
Fixed and mobile radar devices will be used in the campaign against speeders.
Guardia Civil traffic officers will be patrolling on motorbikes as well as operating the additional lanes that will be created at busy entrance and exit points in cities and on parts of motorways such as the A-7.
Roadworks have been halted and some HGVs will be banned from driving at peak times.
The DGT advises anyone who is travelling by road during this busy period to plan their journey well, and avoid using the roads at the busiest times if possible.
They note that their Twitter account @Inform acionDGT and radio stations will advise of delays and accidents so that drivers can avoid jams.