On the first weekend of summer holidays, which starts on July 4 at 15:00 and will last until midnight on July 6, about 4.7 million trips on roads are expected in Spain. For the whole of July, almost 48 million movements are predicted, according to the General Department of Traffic (DGT).
To ensure the safety and control of the road, all available resources are involved: employees of the Civil Guard, operators of traffic control centers, helicopter patrols, as well as technical means — stationary and mobile radars, drones, hidden cars and chambers that control the use of seat belts and mobile phones.
The greatest load is expected on highways and main routes in regions such as Andalusia, Aragon, Asturia, Cantabria, Castile-la-Manch, Castile-i-Leon, Valencian community, Estremadura, Galicia, Baleari Islands, Madrid, Murcia and La Riokha. To improve the bandwidth during peak hours, additional lanes using cones will be organized, as well as alternative routes are provided to reduce the load on the central areas of the country.
Work on the roads will be suspended to avoid narrowing of the roadway and increase the safety of drivers and road workers. In addition, they will limit the holding of sporting events and other events that can block roads. For freight transport, temporary prohibitions on traffic in certain hours and in separate areas will be introduced.
The peak hours of movement are expected on Friday after lunch, when residents of large cities begin to go on vacation, especially in the direction of the coast. On Saturday morning, the intensity of movement will remain, and by evening the transport will concentrate in tourist areas. On Sunday morning, the roads to beaches and resorts will be loaded, and in the afternoon a massive return home will begin, which will lead to the beams on the main highways.
Particular attention is paid to the safety of motorcyclists. Last year, in the summer, 76 motorcyclists died on the roads of the country — this is a record over the past ten years. Most accidents occurred on ordinary roads on weekends, often due to traveling outside the roadway. In the risk zone are drivers with high experience who controlled powerful motorcycles.
In addition, a significant share of the deadly accidents is made up of accidents caused by the abstract of drivers, a hit on pedestrians, as well as the use of alcohol and drugs. The greatest accident is noted among drivers aged 45 to 54 years.
For safe movement, it is recommended to strictly observe the rules of the road, not be distracted by the wheel, do not drink alcohol and drugs, use seat belts and protective equipment. Before the trip, it is important to check the technical condition of the car and plan the route in advance.
Actual information about the road situation is available through official DGT accounts on social networks, as well as by phone 011 and in news reports on radio and television.
