Map of radars in Spain

 

Road safety is taken seriously in Spain, particularly given that, according to the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) these are the numbers of fatalities and injuries in the last 4 years.

• 2024: 1.154 fatalities.
• 2023: 1.806 deaths in road accidents, 518 deaths on urban roads and 9.265 serious injuries.
• 2022: 1.760 fatalities.
• 2021: Increased, but did not exceed 1.800.
• 2020: For the first time, the number of fatalities dropped below 1.800.

The DGT, the country’s top transit authority, has decided that many radars must be distributed across Spain since most accidents are linked to vehicles exceeding speed limits.

The surveillance and speed-monitoring equipment includes traditional fixed radars, section radars, towing radars, and Pegasus helicopters. Each has unique technology and software to detect drivers violating safety rules.

An increased number of mobile radars have been reported across the country. They are easy to use and can be set up in seconds. 

Furthermore, in recent years, DGT has purchased a large quantity of the new, lightweight Velolaser radar, which is hard to find.

So, where are they located?

Of course, we’re speaking of the velolaser radars, which are cutting-edge and powered by highly accurate laser lines that make monitoring roads as easy as ABC.

The laser works by beaming its light at vehicles passing by. The laser beam bounces back to the device, allowing it to calculate the time elapsed and distance covered from when the light hit the car and returned.

These devices can be discovered in several different ways. Because of their small dimensions, police can mount them on suction cups or tripods near the monitoring road.

Thus, a motorcyclist, using social media, reveals one of the locations of these radars that have been occurring in recent months. In the video, one of these radars can be seen attached to a vertical sign on the road. It can also be placed behind a yield sign to verify who is and who is not complying with the law.

Many drivers believe these places are simply unexpected. They simply wouldn’t think to look at a cup, a small tripod, much less behind yield or other road signs.

The giveaway, however, is either a motorcycle or a vehicle with someone on board or nearby. Come on! That’s suspicious. So, when you see something that’s just not right, slow down before they beam you up.

Types of radars that exist in Spain:

• Fixed radars: These are the traditional ones that are easy to find because they alert you to their location prior, allowing you time to adjust your speed to the limit.
• Section radars: They are usually two, and they average the speeds going into the section with the one exiting it, so they’re cool because if you are caught between them by surprise, do some quick math and modify your speed to meet the limit.ç
• Mobile radars: Potentially the easiest. Wherever you see a patrol car, there’s also likely a radar in an officer’s hand or on a nearby tripod alongside the road.
• Velo-laser radars: These are the latest in speed surveillance technology, and we’ve given you tips on how to spot them. However, do keep an eagle eye out for them because you might not see them.
• Pegasus helicopter: The DGT has 13, but only 10 have a camera capable of issuing speeding tickets from the air.
• Traffic light radar: City councils use this type of radar, also known as photo-red light radar, to monitor traffic light runners. It consists of a camera placed near a traffic light that takes a photo of the vehicle’s license plate and location.
• Cascade radar: As we explained before, these are mobile radars placed on top of a fixed radar but facing the other way, so it knows if you decide to accelerate, thinking there is no more radar keeping tabs on your speed.
• Seatbelt radar: These aren’t actually radars but cameras that detect whether a vehicle’s occupants are wearing their seatbelts. They can take up to 50 photographs per second, and more than 200 cameras are located on poles and gantries in Spain.

2025 DGT plans:

The DGT has determined 122 new speed control points where a 21 percent increase in fatal accidents has been reported. These locations are in Andalucia, Almería, Málaga, Granada, Valencia, and Alicante.

• Map of radars in Spain
• List of speed control points and stretches (radars)
• Risky stretches for motorcyclists

Source:  euroweeklynews & DGT