Spain is getting ready for one of the biggest operations of the year: ‘Operación sálida‘, or Spanish and foreign tourists who are on their way to their holiday destination from today. The Spanish traffic service expects 4.5 million trips this weekend.
Spain’s General Traffic Service (DGT) predicts around 95 million long-distance journeys in July and August, 1.75% more than last year. Because of this busy traffic, traffic services will make all their human and technical resources available so that everyone can reach their destination as safely as possible.
This includes installing and activating fixed and mobile safety cameras to ensure safe speeds and deploying additional helicopters, drones and cameras to monitor phone and seatbelt use en route.
What are the main peak times on Spanish motorways?
Like almost every year, there are several peak times in the summer when people go to their holiday homes and back home. Usually these moments take place from Friday to Sunday. This Friday, June 30, is the first so-called ‘operación’. The next busy weekends following this are the weekends from July 28 to August 1, from August 11 to August 15 and from August 31 to September 3.
As mentioned, the crowds mainly take place from Friday to Sunday on highways and expressways. More accidents are expected in the more touristic regions of Spain and in the coastal areas near the beaches. The expectation of more accidents is also due to the fact that there are more foreign tourists who are less used to driving in Spain and consequently, don´t know the road as well.
In the coming period, however, it will be quieter on the access roads to the larger cities in Spain during the usual rush hour.
Also read: DGT launches summer campaign to raise awareness on alcohol related traffic accidents
Additional lanes and provision of alternative routes
The DGT says that extra lanes will be opened, especially during the busy weekends, so that traffic can flow better. Alternative routes will also be indicated by means of extra signage in order to arrive at the destination as safely and quickly as possible.
