Authorities take precautionary measures to aid road safety this weekend as the holidays come to an end

Authorities are bracing for a surge in traffic as millions of people return home after their summer holidays.

4,8 million road trips are estimated to take place over the weekend, according to Spain’s national traffic authority, the DGT, an estimated 600,000 more than last year.

Traffic has installed additional and reversible lanes for the busiest times, also in the exits to the main capitals. The circulation of dangerous goods vehicles and trucks in general will be restricted at certain times. Road works will be interrupted, while sports events will be limited.

In addition, the Civil Guard Traffic Group, equipped with 9,100 agents, will ensure safety and assist drivers. 216 cameras are installed on Spanish roads. They are joined by the staff of the seven Traffic Management Centres, with more than 600 staff and technical staff, and more than 13,000 employees of road conservation companies, in addition to those working in emergency services. The most common transits will be those that travel back from the tourist areas of the coast to the main cities. The DGT expects the return to be staggered throughout these two and a half days of activity. But the road from the beaches will not be the only busy one: There is expected additional traffic through the border crossings as European tourists also make their way home.