Summer traffic campaign begins across Spain

EIGHTY-FOUR million long distance car journeys are expected to be registered on the Spanish roads this summer, the DGT traffic authority has forecast, with phase one of the summer traffic campaign kicking off at 3pm on Friday (July 1).

Traffic officers, surveillance helicopters and traffic control centres across the country are preparing to be on standby 24 hours a day this weekend, the first of the official holiday season when inland residents in particular are expected to pile into their cars and head for the beach.

In Andalucia alone, the authorities expect to see 891,000 vehicles on the roads by Sunday night with the majority heading for the beaches of Malaga, Cadiz and Granada.

Roads where extreme traffic can be expected, the DGT has warned, include the A4, AP4, A7, A66, N340, A92, A45, A44 and MA20 and all secondary roads which give access to beachside towns and villages.

Drivers are warned to keep their wits about them, have patience and extreme precautions while travelling and to leave plenty of time.

Further dates when traffic is expected to be particularly heavy this summer are July 29 to August 1, August 12 to 15 and August 26 to 28. Those who have the option to avoid travelling by road on these dates are advised to do so.