More than One Hundred Million Road Trips this Summer 

There will be specific measures in place every weekend during the summer period, which are reinforced on the first weekend of each month or during specific holidays, giving rise to the so-called exit or return operations. This year there are five, with the first one beginning on July 4. 

Motorcyclists, road departures, distractions, and drunk driving are the main concerns of the General Directorate of Traffic, which will increase surveillance with specific campaigns during the summer. 

SUMMER 2025 

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska was out on the road to present the special traffic regulation, surveillance, and management plan for the summer of 2025. Given the upward trend in traffic movements in the first six months of the year, a record number of trips is expected, exceeding one hundred million long-distance trips during the two summer months. 

In addition to these long-distance trips, there are short-distance trips, which are of greatest concern to the DGT, as they are mostly made on conventional roads, which are less safe and often in familiar surroundings where driving attention is reduced. 

At the presentation of the plan, Grande-Marlaska noted that, despite the expected increase in travel, the goal is to prevent this from leading to an increase in road deaths. “Last summer, there were 243 fatalities, 3.9 deaths per day—far too many,” he added. 

During the summer months, when the risk of accidents increases compared to the rest of the year, the DGT intensifies its actions to protect all road users. At the same time, it works to ensure that travel runs in an orderly and safe manner, addressing both the usual congestion caused by high traffic volumes and any problems that may arise unexpectedly. These incidents may be linked to summer travel itself—to beaches, tourist destinations, or second homes—or caused by external factors such as road closures, roadworks, or other circumstances. 

CONSOLIDATED TREND 

Over the past few summers, a pattern has become established in holiday travel: departures and returns tend to be spread out over shorter periods and concentrated on weekends. For this reason, the DGT has planned a series of specific operations every weekend during the summer period, with special reinforcements on the first weekend of each month or during specific holidays that give rise to the so-called departure or return operations. 

Based on this pattern, five special traffic operations have been established: 

• 1st Operation Exit: From Friday, July 4th to 6th. 
• Operation Santiago: July 24-27 
• Operation August 1st: From August 1st to 3rd. 
• Operation August 15: from August 14 to 17. 
• Operation Return: August 29-31. 

In addition to the usual domestic holiday traffic, numerous vehicles registered in other European countries cross our roads every year, either because their final destination is Spain or because they are only traveling to other destinations such as Portugal or North African countries. 

Operation Crossing the Strait stands out in terms of the number of vehicles involved, with forecasts indicating a 5 percent increase compared to the 850,000 vehicles that crossed the Strait last year. 

The DGT is developing a special plan covering the main routes—such as the Mediterranean Corridor, the Central Corridor, and the Silver Route—and which includes a workforce of more than 27,000 people. 

Two rest areas and five information points staffed by specialised personnel have also been set up. The Border Information System also has more than 2,400 information panels along the corridors and more than 2,000 cameras that allow users to predict estimated port passage times and respond to any incidents. 

Operation Passage de Portugal is underway with a lower vehicle count, with approximately 212,000 vehicles expected to arrive in Portugal. Surveillance along the A-62 and A-66 highways is being reinforced, with constant signage being maintained along the route from Irún or La Junquera to the Portuguese border crossings. 

CONCERNS 

During the presentation, Grande-Marlaska highlighted the groups and factors that most concern the Ministry of the Interior and the DGT. 

First and foremost, motorcyclists. Last summer, 76 motorcyclists died—more than one every day, the highest number in the last ten years—primarily in accidents on conventional roads during the weekend, involving high-powered motorcycles and drivers who had held their license for more than ten years. Motorcyclists represent less than 3 percent of road trips, but they account for 25 percent of fatalities. 

The Ministry of the Interior maintains close collaboration with the sector to promote actions that contribute to curbing this dramatic number of victims. Juan Manuel Reyes, president of the National Motorcyclists Association, participated in the presentation of the plan, taking the opportunity to offer key recommendations to all motorcycle users so they can return home safe and sound and remember the positive experiences of the summer. 

Road departures, which account for 40 percent of fatal accidents, distracted driving (the leading cause of accidents), hit-and-run accidents (9 percent of fatalities), alcohol and drug abuse, and the 45-54 age group—which recorded the highest number of accidents last summer—are all factors of concern. 

TIPS TO SAVE LIVES 

During the campaign presentation, the Minister of the Interior highlighted some tips that can help reduce the risk of accidents: 

It’s a good idea to plan your trips well. The increase in travel will cause significant traffic jams at the entrances and exits of major cities and on coastal highways, a setback that can be avoided with good planning. 

It’s unreasonable to risk your life to enjoy one more drink or to arrive five minutes early. After the accident, all of that loses meaning. 

Don’t use WhatsApp groups that announce alcohol checkpoints. They’re unsupportive and a risk because they can cause someone who’s been drinking to avoid them and kill someone. 

You have to be very careful on short trips, which are the most common cause of fatal accidents in summer. 

Finally, when driving, keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Beware of distractions, which are the leading cause of fatal accidents in the summer. 

Grande-Marlaska emphasised that “road safety is a national project; if we are prudent and responsible, we all win.” Therefore, “I want to take advantage of your presence to ask citizens preparing for their summer vacation to exercise caution and responsibility: it’s taken a lot of effort to get here, so let’s not ruin it on the roads this summer.” 

MESSAGE TO TRAFFIC OFFICERS 

The Minister of the Interior wished to send a sincere message of gratitude to all Guardia Civil Traffic Officers via radio for their dedication and commitment to serving the public. He emphasized that their commitment and effort are essential to ensuring road safety, assisting drivers, and handling any incidents with professionalism and care. 

He also highlighted their tireless work, even when most citizens are on vacation, as they never let their guard down and remain vigilant to ensure the safety of those traveling. For this reason, Grande-Marlaska praised their expertise, as true “angels of the road” whose work is essential for the proper functioning of mobility and road safety.