Lorraine Williamson
On July 24th, a significant road safety incident occurred on the SE-30 motorway near Seville. It involved a truck driver travelling in the wrong direction.
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) confirmed the driver tested positive for alcohol with levels exceeding the criminal limit. He was intercepted after a dangerous six-kilometre journey.
Incident overview
At approximately 1.20 am, the Southwest Traffic Management Centre, based in Seville, detected a truck driving in the wrong direction, against the flow of traffic from the Centennial Bridge towards Córdoba. The truck was in the lanes designated for Huelva-bound traffic. The immediate response was coordinated by the Southwest Traffic Management Center and the Seville Detachment of the Guardia Civil’s Traffic Group, utilising real-time monitoring through the DGT’s extensive network of road cameras.
Real-time response
The DGT’s Traffic Management Centres are operational 24/7, controlling and monitoring high-capacity roads with over 2,000 CCTV cameras. During the truck’s transit in the wrong direction, variable message panels were activated to alert other drivers of the imminent danger and to exercise extreme caution.
Interception and legal proceedings
The collaboration between the Guardia Civil and the Policia Nacional culminated in the safe interception of the truck at kilometre 3,000 on the SE-30. The driver’s alcohol test results showed 0.77 mg/l and 0.79 mg/l of alcohol in exhaled air, far exceeding the legal limit of 0.60 mg/l, thereby constituting a criminal offense.
Legal consequences
The driver is now under investigation for multiple offenses:
- Driving in the opposite direction (Art. 380 of the Penal Code).
- Exceeding the legal alcohol limit (Art. 379.2 of the Penal Code).
These charges could lead to a prison sentence of between six months and two years plus a driving ban from one to six years.
Importance of road safety
Driving under the influence is a major contributor to road accidents. The Guardia Civil’s Traffic Group conducts daily checks for alcohol and drug use.
Traffic management centres
The DGT operates eight Traffic Management Centres across Spain, including in Madrid, the Balearic Islands, Levante, Northwest-Cantábrico, North, Pyrenees-Valle del Ebro, Southeast, and Southwest. These centres, manned by 700 personnel, utilise a vast array of technological resources to ensure road safety, including:
- Over 2,000 CCTV cameras.
- More than 2,000 data collection stations.
- Nearly 2,500 variable message panels.
- 772 license plate recognition sections.
- 423 atmospheric variable sensors.
Conclusion
The swift and coordinated response to this incident underscores the importance of the DGT’s infrastructure and the dedication of its personnel in maintaining road safety. The public is reminded of the severe legal consequences of driving under the influence and the critical need for vigilance on the roads.
View footage of the incident.
Also read: New rules for alcohol consumption in traffic