The New Section Speed Camera Installed by the DGT: Be Careful on Your Way Back from Holidays

Summer is coming to an end, and with it, one of the most intense periods on Spanish roads. Massive movements, long hours behind the wheel, and accumulated fatigue are factors that, year after year, increase the risk of accidents on the roads. Aware of this, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has intensified its efforts to improve road safety by implementing measures that not only control speeding but also reduce dangerous rear-end collisions that often occur when drivers brake suddenly upon spotting a speed camera.

Throughout this year, the DGT has been installing new speed cameras with the objective of creating a safer environment for all road users. However, the strategy has gone beyond traditional fixed cameras that only capture speed at a specific point. The new trend gaining ground on Spanish roads is the installation of section speed cameras, more sophisticated systems that monitor vehicle speed over several kilometers. This approach not only discourages sudden braking in front of a camera but also promotes more uniform and safe driving.

While some drivers criticize these measures as merely revenue-generating, authorities defend their effectiveness in preventing accidents. According to the regulatory body, the presence of speed cameras, whether fixed or sectional, has a deterrent effect that leads to a decrease in average driving speed, which in turn reduces accidents. In fact, section speed cameras are appreciated as a fairer tool since they do not penalize a momentary lapse but rather continuous behavior of driving above legal limits.

For those returning from the August bank holiday, it is important to note that the DGT has implemented a new section speed camera that could affect your return trip. This camera, which replaces two fixed devices, has been installed in a strategic section of the A-8 motorway in Cantabria, one of the busiest corridors in the north of the country. The camera covers a length of more than six kilometers, from Ontón viaduct to Castro Urdiales, a stretch where speed limits vary between 80 and 100 kilometers per hour.

In early August, this camera only issued informational warnings, alerting drivers about its presence and operation. However, with the end of the bank holiday and the expected increase in traffic, it will start fining those who do not respect the established limits along this section. So if you are planning your return via the A-8, remember that maintaining a constant speed within legal limits is key not only to avoid fines but also to ensure a safe journey.