Summer 2024 is coming to an end and, with it, the return home of millions of citizens prepared to return to the daily routine. Therefore, in order for the return to take place in the maximum safety conditions, the General Directorate of Traffic will start tomorrow the last of the special devices prepared for this summer.
The Agency expects that, from 15:00 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, August 30, and until midnight on Sunday, September 1, there will be 4,760,000 long-distance movements due to the general return that will take place in the next few days, 97,000 of them in Asturias.
In this operation, the aforementioned return movements will coincide, which will be staggered between the days preceding this weekend and the weekend itself, mainly on Sunday, September 1, from the coastal and rest tourist areas to the large urban centers, with departure movements that also occur during the weekend by the beginning of the holiday month of September, mainly to coastal tourist areas and the usual ones of a summer weekend.
CIRCULATION FORECASTS
From the first hours of the afternoon of Friday 30 and until the last hours of the afternoon (especially between 16 and 22 hours), there will be high intensities, both in the direction of departure and in the main roads of access to the tourist areas of the coast.
Saturday 31 will continue the intense traffic from the early hours of the morning, especially between 9 and 13 hours, motivated by the imminent start of the holiday month of September and by the usual short weekend trips.
On Sunday, September 1, in the morning, the access to beaches and coastline will be conflictive. Early in the afternoon, between 15 and 22 hours, the return of those who have finished their holidays in August and those who have enjoyed the weekend will begin, presenting high intensities of traffic on the main roads of communication that channel all the return movement from the coastal areas and rest towards the large urban centers.
For all these reasons, the DGT recommends, as always, being careful, respecting traffic regulations, planning trips in advance and, if possible, avoiding the most unfavorable hours.
In any case, the DGT has, through its website, information phone 011 and Traffic Information Service, up-to-date information on the traffic situation on the roads available to drivers.
MATERIAL MEDIA, HUMAN AND MEASUREMENTS
In order to cover this operation and make all the planned movements safe, Traffic has established a series of traffic regulation, management and surveillance measures for which it has the maximum availability, both of its human resources (agents of the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard, personnel of the eight Traffic Management Centers of the DGT and personnel in charge of the maintenance of equipment and the installation of measures on the road, in addition to the personnel of the emergency services), as well as of its technical resources (fixed and mobile speed control radars, in addition to helicopters-Pegasus, drones, cameras, vans and camouflaged motorcycles for the use of motorists).
Likewise, the works on the roads will be paralyzed, the celebration of sports tests and other events that suppose the occupation of the road will be limited and the circulation of freight trucks in general and those who transport certain goods in certain sections, dates and times will be restricted.
The established device can be consulted in https://www.dgt.es/conoce-el-estado-del-trafico/recomendaciones-de-trafico/.
ROAD SAFETY TIPS
On these dates when we make greater use of the vehicle, with both long and short travel trips, it is advisable to take advantage of this to carry out, in due time, a complete overhaul of the vehicle: brakes, lighting, battery, tires, windscreen wipers, oil, etc.
It is advisable to drive with the fuel tank because, in the event of any anomalous situation such as traffic jams, accidents or inclemencies, it will be of great help.
On the eve of the trip, you must try to rest and sleep enough, so that you can drive relaxed and without drowsiness. It is also advisable, before going on a trip, to have a breakfast or a light meal, avoiding accompanying it with large doses of stimulating drinks, as well as the consumption of those medicines that diminish attention or cause drowsiness.
Of course, never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nor let someone who has done so get behind the wheel. As the DGT’s summer campaign says, “only 0.0% has 0 consequences.”
In addition, Traffic always recommends, before and during the trip, to inform itself of the state of the roads through all the communication channels available to it, either through the twitter accounts @informacionDGT and @DGTes, the newsletters on radio and television, such as on the telephone 011 or on the Agency's website (www.dgt.es or https://infocar.dgt.es/etraffic/) in order to avoid unforeseen events and use the alternative itineraries proposed if necessary.
IN ASTURIAS
| Carretera | Kilometric Point | Observations |
| N-630 | 67 to 87 | Occasional retentions in Puerto de Pajares by intensity of circulation on weekends |
| A-8 | 355 | In both senses, a large influx of vehicles, retentions by reducing the speed in the Villaviciosa tunnel. |
| A-8 | 356 to 357 | In a growing sense and in the afternoon by return of beaches |
| A-8 | 306+000 | Gulpiyuri Beach, lack of parking |
| N-634a | 341,500 | Intersection of the Portazgo, retentions may occur due to the intensity of circulation towards Covadonga. |
| AS-262 | 6 | Glorieta Covadonga, retentions by intensity of circulation |
| AS-264 | 1 to 7 | Large influx of vehicles access to Picos de Europa National Park and the Cares route |
2.-ROADS WHERE THERE ARE WORKS IN EXECUTION PHASE:
- Placement of acoustic screens in Mieres. A-66, p.k. 53+100 to 52+200 (left margin), permanent cut of the right lane with diversion of traffic by the left lane.
3.-SPECIAL CIRCULATION MEASURES:
A) ALTERNATIVE ITINERARIES
- Vehicles heading to Cangas de Onís, Covadonga, Picos de Europa Natural Park and Arrionda must travel on the A-8 to exit 319 (Ribadesella) and continue on the N-634 to the town of Arrionda.
- Vehicles heading towards Oviedo from Cangas de Onís and Arriondas, it is recommended to use the A-8
- A-66 and A-8: Oviedo–Gijón by AS-II or AS-I with A-64
(B) OTHER MANAGEMENT MEASURES
- Regulations and surveillance by the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard in conflictive intersections and sections of greater traffic intensity.
- Restriction of access to the CO-4 from 00:00 to 24:00, except authorized vehicles.
- Elimination of the third lane of the A-8 between the pp.kk. 356+200 to 358+200 sense increasing (stretch coinciding with the exit of the Villaviciosa tunnel).
- Signage in the Variable Messaging Panels of the state of occupation of the parking lots of several beaches.