More Speed Cameras and Lower Fuel Prices for the 'Operation Exit'

The risk of speeding remains a significant concern. An increase in speed by 10 km/h results in a 220% rise in the risk of a fatal accident, according to the European Road Safety Observatory. Inappropriate speed is the third most common contributing factor in traffic accidents, especially those with fatalities. In 2024, within the DGT's jurisdiction, there were 218 fatal accidents where this factor was present.

With the anticipation of hundreds of road trips in the coming months, starting with Easter, followed by bank holidays and summer vacations, 17 new speed cameras have been activated. These include 9 fixed and 8 section cameras across six Autonomous Communities: Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Comunidad Valenciana, Andalucía, Canarias, and Comunidad de Madrid. They will be signposted on the road, and during the first month of operation, only a warning letter will be issued; thereafter, fines will be imposed.

Additionally, until Sunday, April 13, the Civil Guard Traffic Group, along with local and regional police forces joining the effort, will focus on high-risk sections associated with speed, as well as areas where traffic exceeds the set limit and there is a high accident rate. Notably, the Special Easter Operation 2025 will commence tomorrow, Friday, April 11, with over 15.8 million road trips expected, marking a 2.47% increase over 2024 figures. The first phase, with over four million trips planned, will start tomorrow at 3 PM and continue until midnight on Sunday, April 13. The second, more intense phase, the 'Operation Exit', will begin on Wednesday, April 16, at noon and will extend until midnight on Monday, April 21, concluding with the 'Operation Return'.

As expected, to accommodate all these trips, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has prepared a special operation that includes mobile speed control radars, helicopters, drones, cameras, and unmarked vans to monitor mobile phone use and seatbelt compliance, as well as alcohol and drug checks. Reversible and additional lanes will also be set up using signage, beacons, and cones during peak traffic hours, along with alternative routes. Furthermore, roads with sections or areas affected by adverse weather conditions such as snow, ice, fog, rain, and wind will be maintained in safe conditions.

Therefore, the DGT advises planning ahead, avoiding unfavorable travel times, resting every two hours—since fatigue and sleepiness are causes of accidents—and, if possible, avoiding the most unfavorable hours. It is essential to respect the speed limit on each road and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. Do not consume alcohol or drugs when driving; all vehicle occupants, including pets, must wear seatbelts properly. Children under 135 centimeters must be seated in the rear with the appropriate child restraint system.

Properly loading the trunk is equally crucial. Braking, handling in curves, or during unexpected maneuvers, an overloaded car or poorly distributed load increases the likelihood of an accident. Carrying loose luggage or bags in the back also results in a 200-euro fine.

Fuel prices have been declining for over a month. With an average of 1.51 euros per litre for petrol and 1.43 for diesel—prices as of yesterday, Wednesday, April 9—travelling this Easter will be cheaper than last year. However, checking prices between different petrol stations before filling up will help start the holidays without straining the budget. The difference between stations can be up to 20 cents per litre. In context, the cheapest average price recorded on the indicated date is 1.36 euros per litre for 95 petrol and 1.26 for diesel A.

In a typical car with an average 55-litre tank—used as an example here—when up to four tanks of fuel are consumed per trip, including round trips and local travel at the destination, this means starting the holidays with nearly 40 euros more in your pocket. This is a significant amount to consider. The clear example is going from paying less than 75 euros to fill a petrol tank to 83, or in the case of diesel, from less than 70 euros to nearly 79.

Rain will mark the start of Easter. When water is the main feature, the risk of an accident increases by up to 70%, according to several studies collected by the DGT. Besides poorer grip, rain worsens visibility and tests the mechanical elements of our car. Not everyone knows how to adapt their driving in the rain, which is crucial for a safe journey, even overcoming the dreaded 'aquaplaning'. Traffic also warns that, following the heavy rains across Spain in recent weeks, there are road sections that have been affected and are being repaired by the respective road authorities.

It is crucial to start with a clean windshield. If there is dirt such as resin stains or insects, using the wipers may worsen visibility in the rain. Headlights should be turned on from the first drops, reduce the safety distance, speed, and avoid abrupt changes, accelerations, or movements. Water on the asphalt reduces tire grip, meaning it stops doing three things well: braking, traction, and turning. Additionally, caution is needed in underground parking. The pavement in most parking lots is made of resinous material with very little grip, almost like ice. This last phenomenon is very difficult to see and is what truly causes most accidents. Since ice patches are hard to spot, they are usually found on shoulders or roads with little traffic, in shaded areas, or inside curves.

Finally, if heading to snowy areas or where snow is forecasted, the same instructions should be followed, in addition to following the tracks of preceding cars to maintain grip. The snow level is indicated by four simple colors. Green means it starts to snow. When it falls continuously and begins to settle on the road—making conditions more difficult—the signal will be yellow. Red indicates the road is covered with snow, and finally, black means the snow on the road is thick, and driving is prohibited.