Spain’s car-free day ironically causes huge traffic jams

A GLOBAL ‘Car-Free Day’ took place on September 22 and the worldwide initiative was pushed by the Directorate General of Traffic in Spain to reduce pollution across the country.

Municipal authorities in Barcelona, where it was deemed a success, closed 58 streets recorded 4.3 per cent less cars on the roads of the Catalan capital.

In contrast, the closure of major streets in Madrid caused a gridlock that had drivers sitting in traffic for up to an hour. Buses and coaches were delayed and drivers complained on social media, with one posting an image of the traffic jam asking sarcastically: “What free day was it again?”