The beginning of August marks one of the busiest periods of the year on Spain’s roads, with the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) preparing for the first of three major traffic operations designed to keep millions of journeys moving safely throughout the holiday season.
Between 1 July and 31 August, the DGT expects more than 104 million long-distance journeys, around 3.7 per cent more than last summer. Many of those trips take place during weekends and at the beginning and end of each month, when holidaymakers change over, families travel to the coast and visitors arrive from across Europe.
The first August operation runs from Friday 31 July until Sunday 2 August and represents the first major holiday changeover of the month. It will be followed by further nationwide operations over the 15 August public holiday and during the end-of-summer return at the end of the month.
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Expect busy roads
Drivers should expect heavier than normal traffic leaving major cities on Friday and Saturday, particularly on routes towards coastal resorts, tourist destinations and second homes. By Sunday afternoon the traffic pattern will reverse, with congestion building on roads leading back towards larger towns and cities.
The DGT will deploy additional traffic management measures, increased patrols and extensive monitoring to reduce delays and improve safety throughout the weekend.
Summer driving needs a different mindset
Summer driving brings different risks from the rest of the year.
Long journeys, unfamiliar roads, high temperatures, heavier traffic, motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians and increased night-time travel all combine to make the roads more demanding.
If you are travelling this weekend:
- Leave earlier or later if possible to avoid the busiest periods.
- Plan your route before setting off.
- Check traffic conditions before leaving.
- Take a break at least every two hours.
- Stay hydrated.
- Make sure tyres are correctly inflated.
- Ensure your vehicle is ready for the journey.
- Be patient if delays occur.
- Remember that arriving a little later is always better than not arriving at all.
Zero really does mean zero
The DGT continues its summer enforcement campaigns against drink and drug driving because impairment remains one of the biggest contributors to serious collisions. Speed enforcement and motorcycle safety campaigns also continue throughout the summer.
At N332 our message is simple.
The only safe alcohol limit is zero.
The legal limit is not a target. Alcohol affects judgement long before many people realise it, while illegal drugs and some prescription medication can have an even greater impact on reaction times and decision-making.
If you plan to drink, plan not to drive.
Don’t forget your V-16
This is also the first full summer in which connected V-16 emergency beacons are mandatory in Spain.
If your vehicle breaks down or you are involved in an incident, the V-16 not only warns approaching drivers but also transmits your location to the DGT traffic management system, helping improve safety for everyone on the road.
Before you set off
- Plan your journey.
- Allow extra time.
- Check live traffic information.
- Take regular breaks.
- Stay hydrated.
- Put your phone away.
- Slow down when conditions change.
- Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
- Be courteous to other road users.
- Get there safely.
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