The General Directorate of Traffic activates at 15 hours on Thursday the device of Special Operation 1 of May, which will be maintained until 24 hours on Sunday, May 3. For these days a total of 6,040,000 long-distance movements by road are planned (137,700 in Asturias), lower than in previous years due to the fact that May 2, the usual holiday in the Community of Madrid, is Saturday and the holiday period in this territory is shortened.
To cover these movements, the DGT will have the maximum availability of its human resources (agents of the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard, personnel of the Traffic Management Centers, Air Media Unit and personnel in charge of equipment maintenance and the installation of road measures), which will work to facilitate mobility and ensure safety. This work will use all the technical means available to the DGT: fixed and mobile speed control radars, as well as helicopters, drones and cameras to control the use of mobile and seat belts.
This deployment will allow the implementation of a series of traffic regulation, management and surveillance measures, with the aim of managing the important movement of vehicles that will be concentrated in a short period of time, less than on other occasions, and with similar origins and destinations.
In order to promote fluidity in the most sensitive areas, the works on the roads will be paralysed, both to avoid the congestion that they can cause by reducing the number of available lanes and to improve the road safety of drivers and operators. Likewise, the holding of sports tests and other events that involve the occupation of the road will be limited and the circulation of trucks in general and those who transport certain goods in certain sections, dates and times will be restricted.
All these measures, in addition to the special arrangement by autonomous communities, can be consulted in the web of the DGT.
TRAFFIC FORECASTS
Traffic forecasts indicate that, from the early hours of the afternoon of Thursday, April 30, there will be high intensities in the direction of departure from the large urban centers, as well as in the main access roads to the coastal, second residence and mountain tourist areas. The complications will accentuate as the afternoon progresses to move at the last minute to the destination areas. The most unfavorable time slot to start a trip will be between 15:00 and 23:00 hours.
Friday, May 1, will continue during the morning the intense outbound traffic of the large urban centers and on access roads to the destination points. On the day of May 2, the weekend’s own outings will continue.
At the beginning of the afternoon of Sunday, May 3, an increase in circulation is expected in the main road axes that channel the return. The probable retentions will be concentrated initially on motorways and highways, to move progressively to the entrance of the main population centers.
PREVENTION AND PRUDENCE
In one of the periods of the year with more travel in a shorter period of time, the DGT recalls that prevention and prudence are the best travel companions to reach the destination places and return home. The collaboration of all road users is essential to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
Therefore, it is essential to avoid risky behaviors such as the use of the mobile phone at the wheel, the consumption of alcohol or drugs and the breach of speed limits. While driving, it is essential to keep your attention on the road, respect the signs and use the safety systems correctly.
Before starting the trip, it is recommended to check the vehicle, plan the trip in advance and consult both the weather forecasts at the State Meteorological Agency and the traffic status. From the accounts of X @informacionDGT and @DGTes o News bulletins on radio and television, as well as on phone 011, inform about the traffic situation in real time and any incidents that may exist.
In addition, the obligation to use the V16 beacon in the event of a road incident is recalled, since it is the fastest way to notify, through variable message panels and browsers, the other road users of a road incident and adopt all possible precautionary measures.