Like every year, December 6 and 8 appear on the calendar marked in red. On Wednesday, the 6th, the anniversary of the Constitution is celebrated and two days later, on Friday the 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Many Spaniards take advantage of the opportunity to take a break and escape from the daily routine, planning trips by car to discover new destinations, meet up with family and friends, or simply enjoy a few days of rest.
It is important to keep in mind that these dates usually register a notable increase in traffic. According to calculations by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), it is expected that until Sunday, December 10, there will be more than 7.8 million long-distance trips along the entire Spanish road network.
This figure represents an increase of 17.13% compared to the actual data for 2022 and 10.04% compared to 2017, the last year in which the festivities coincided with a Wednesday and a Friday, the same as on this occasion.
To facilitate circulation during these days, the DGT has launched a special operation to regulate, organize and monitor traffic from this Tuesday, at 3 p.m., until midnight on Sunday. The agents will intensify surveillance on the roads that give access to mountain areas for winter sports and also to other places whose destinations are tourist rest areas and second homes.
Traffic estimates that, as the festivities are celebrated on Wednesday and Friday, the departure from the large urban centers will take place in two phases. The first and most significant is expected to be on Tuesday the 5th, between 5 and 10 p.m., and on Wednesday the 6th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the start of the bridge. Regarding the second part of this exit operation, the maximum attention of the agents will be on Thursday the 7th, between 6 and 10 p.m., and on Friday the 8th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the beginning of the holiday. and the weekend.
For its part, the return operation will take place on Sunday the 10th, mainly between 4 and 11 p.m., in accordance with Traffic forecasts. The organization directed by Pere Navarro foresees that on the rest of the intermediate days there will also be short movements in alternating exit-entry directions coinciding with holidays.
In addition to the agents who will patrol the roads, Traffic has announced that, as usual, it has its own material means to ensure compliance with the rules and guarantee road safety. These resources include 780 fixed speed control radars, of which 92 are sectional, and 545 mobile radars that can be mounted on Civil Guard vehicles. The operation is completed with 245 cameras and 15 camouflaged vans to control the use of mobile devices and seat belts.
The DGT reminds that it is important to prepare the trip to avoid last-minute surprises, both with regard to the condition of the vehicle and route planning. The organization recommends tuning up the car with a check that guarantees that all elements resist the most severe environmental conditions that low temperatures imply and opting for the safest roads.
Before starting to drive, it is essential to check various elements of the vehicle, such as the brakes, lighting system, tires, battery, oil level and the correct operation of the windshield wipers. In cases of traveling through particularly cold areas, with the possibility of snowfall, it is advisable to equip the car with winter tires or make sure you have a set of chains in the trunk.
Likewise, it is advisable to plan the route selecting the safest option to prevent unforeseen events. To obtain updated information on the state of the roads is essential, Traffic reminds drivers that they can consult the accounts of
