The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has activated a special device to guarantee road safety during the "Special Operation 1 of August", which begins today Wednesday at 16:00 hours. In Cantabria, around 53,000 road trips are expected until midnight on Thursday.
This operation coincides with the beginning of August, one of the most intense vacation periods of the year, which will cause a significant increase in traffic on all roads in the country, especially on the access roads to coastal and tourist areas.
In Cantabria, 725,000 trips are planned for the whole month of August. As usual, the greatest concentration of vehicles will occur in strategic points such as the junction of the A-8 and the A-67 in Torrelavega, as well as in the eastern area of the A-8 and in the accesses to beaches.
In order to safeguard the safety of all road users, the Civil Guard Traffic Group will deploy up to 180 officers, working in coordination with local police.
According to DGT forecasts, peak hours will be concentrated in the afternoon of Wednesday, July 31, between 16:00 and 23:00 hours, and throughout the morning of Thursday, August 1, especially between 9:00 and 14:00 hours.
An increase in movements will also be observed in the weekend after these dates, due to the return and beginning of the summer months of July and August, respectively. It is expected that there may be detentions in the exits of urban centers and in the main roads of communication to the coastal areas.
Recommendations
In this situation, the DGT recommends that drivers:
• Plan the trip: Inform yourself about the state of the roads and possible incidents before leaving.
• Respect the speed limits: Adapt the speed to the conditions of the track and the intensity of the traffic.
• Maintain a safe distance: Leave enough space between vehicles to be able to react to any unexpected event.
• Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs: The use of alcohol or drugs decreases reflexes and increases the risk of suffering an accident.
• Make periodic stops: Rest every two hours and avoid driving during the hottest hours.