Operation Departure for the bridge of August 15 has begun this Friday at 15.00, at which time more than 8.5 million road trips are expected until next Tuesday. As soon as the holiday exodus began, the second with the highest number of displacements, there were delays in the exits of the big cities, especially Madrid, and on the coastal roads. The trips of departure and return by the change of fortnight are added the displacements to the coast or to the second residences, taking advantage of the long weekend and the short distance transfers, especially at night and at dawn, on the occasion of the festivities that are celebrated in numerous localities. Just at the beginning of the operation, a DGT helicopter that was carrying out surveillance work in Almeria for the Dreambeach Villaricos festival has crashed when trying to land on a plot of land in La Mojonera. One of the blades of the helicopter, as confirmed by traffic sources, has hit a bush and the device has caught fire after raising a large dust. There are no serious injuries.
In August, the DGT cautionary warnings are redoubled, as it is the month in which the highest number of road trips of the year is recorded. In the current summer period, more than 49 million trips are planned. This long weekend joins the displacements of departure and return by the change of fortnight with those that are made to coastal and beach areas and second residence. Short-distance trips will also increase, especially at night and early morning, due to the celebrations held in several towns in the national territory.
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Evacuated by military helicopter the 19 Spaniards held in Amhara (Ethiopia)
Traffic has insisted to drivers to extreme road safety measures and emphasizes not driving under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs. During the bridge, preventive measures to control speed, alcohol and drugs will be intensified. This Operation Exit coincides with the special campaign of surveillance and control of alcohol and drugs that the traffic agents of the Civil Guard and the Police will carry out from next Monday both on roads and in urban centers.
Alcohol is a factor that has increased among drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents in the last year. More than half (51.9%) of the tests on drivers who died in traffic accidents in 2022 tested positive for alcohol, other drugs or psychotropic drugs, according to the National Institute of Toxicology.
Until August 10, 658 people have lost their lives on the road, which is 4% less than in the same period of 2022. In the month of July, 115 people died in traffic accidents, 15 less than in July last year. The summer months have become the most dangerous to drive. The density of traffic, the recklessness of drivers and fatigue due to the duration of trips are some of the causes of the increase in road mortality at this time of year, according to a study by the Línea Directa Foundation. This work concluded that every day of the summer five people died in traffic accidents, a rate 20.5% higher than in non-holiday periods and significantly higher than that of other holidays.
A novelty of this summer is the end of the obligatory nature of the signaling triangles on highways and highways, from July 1. Traffic announced this measure at the end of June, due to the "high risk" that existed on high-capacity roads when going down to place the triangle. The average number of pedestrians killed after getting off the vehicle in the last five years has been 22 people, according to figures from the DGT. The alternative to this option that avoids leaving the vehicle is the V16 light signal, which is placed on the top of the car, but which will not be mandatory until January 2026.
Most conflictive hours
In the early afternoon of this Friday the first complications have been registered in Barcelona, starting by the C32 in Premiá de Mar; in Albacete, on the A31 in La Gineta towards Alicante; and in Valencia, from the A3 in Chiva. There has been slow traffic in Madrid, starting on the A1 in the vicinity of the Jarama circuit, on the A3 in Rivas, the A4 in Pinto, the A5 in Arroyomolinos and the A6 in Las Rozas. Also, complications in Cuenca on the A3 in Saelices towards Madrid and increasing traffic in the north of the peninsula: in Vizcaya, on the A8 in Ortuella towards Cantabria and in Álava on the A1 in Lopidana.
Traffic forecasts that this Friday afternoon, mainly between 16.00 and 23.00, there will be traffic problems at the exits of large cities and on the main communication routes of access to the tourist areas of the coast, second residence and populations in parties.
On Saturday morning, between 9.00 and 14.00, the intense traffic will continue to leave the urban centers, as well as in destination areas late in the morning, which will be added to the usual short-distance access to beaches.
On Sunday 13 there will be retentions in the morning in the accesses to the coast and in the roads that connect coastal towns of access to beaches and in the accesses of the large urban centers by the local movements and short journeys to nearby leisure areas, their return will be made late in the afternoon. Between 19.00 and 22.00 the return will begin, but it will be the moment of least intensity of circulation, being a holiday on Tuesday 15 throughout Spain.
Monday will be the quietest day of this operation. During this day there will be the usual movements of entry and exit to large urban centers because it is a working day. In the morning the access roads to the coast and those that connect coastal towns of access to beaches will be conflictive. In the afternoon, there will be movements out of the large urban centers as the next day is a holiday and also due to the change of fortnight.
On Tuesday 15 in the morning there may be traffic problems in the accesses to the coast and on the roads that connect coastal towns. Between 18.00 and 23.00 the return of those who finish their rest days will begin. Problems can occur in the main communication routes that channel all the movement back, from the tourist areas of the coast to the accesses of the large urban centers.
Recommendations of the DGT
-Traffic warns never to lower your guard, for trips to towns that celebrate local festivals, even if it is a short project, put on the seat belt, respect speed limits and road signs.
-In case you have ingested alcohol, even if you have not reached the maximum allowed, better to let someone who has not drunk drive, contemplate the possibility of using public transport or rest and spend the night in hostels, hotels or in the car itself until you can travel in conditions.
-On long journeys, make sure the vehicle is in optimal condition and check the lighting, brake and tire conditions.
-Also, plan the trip by the safest route and avoid the most conflictive hours.
-Finally, take breaks every two hours. Traffic reminds that fatigue and sleep can cause accidents.