· The second phase of operation, more important than the previous one in terms of the estimated number of trips, begins this Wednesday at 15.00hs and ends on Monday, April 1 at 24.00hs
· During Holy Week, one person has died on the Valencian roads
· The government delegate calls on drivers to take extreme precautions and respect traffic regulations
· Barnabas points out that “there will be zero tolerance in speeding, alcohol and drug consumption” and in the use of mobile telephony while at the wheel
The General Directorate of Traffic foresees a total of 1,134,840 long-distance journeys on the roads of the Valencian Community during the second phase of the special traffic operation Semana Santa, which is expected to be more important than the previous phase by volume of vehicles throughout the road network. The Operation starts this Wednesday at 15:00 hours and ends in the Valencian Community, at 24:00 hours on Monday, April 1.
In this second phase of the special operation, 9,650,000 long-distance journeys are expected nationwide, of which 12% correspond to the Valencian Community.
The government delegate to the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, has called on drivers to “take extreme precautions and respect the traffic regulations”. Bernabé stressed “the importance of respecting safety limitations, the non-use of mobile phones while driving and the mandatory use of belts and child restraint systems”. In addition, he added that “it is essential, as always, to plan in advance the trip by performing a complete overhaul of the vehicle before leaving, avoid as much as possible the most unfavorable days and hours, and always look for the best route to avoid unforeseen events”. The delegate also stressed that “there will be zero tolerance with alcohol and drug consumption and excess speed”.
Holy Week is the period in which there is a significant exodus of vehicles from the urban centers caused by the festivities of these dates, school and university holidays, and by a multitude of religious acts of strong popular roots. For this reason, the DGT has launched the special Easter device divided into two phases. The first extended from last Friday to Sunday, March 24. During the first phase, which the DGT estimated more than 4.2 million displacements, of which 491,000 corresponded to the Valencian Community. During Easter, one person has died on the roads of the Valencian Community.
The total number of long-distance journeys at national level, planned throughout the Holy Week (both phases), is 16,550,000 of which 12% correspond to the Valencian Community and 22% to the area of influence of this Traffic Management Center.
Days and hours of greater intensity of circulation and more conflictive sections
According to the data provided by the DGT, the most unfavorable hours for circulation will be: this afternoon between 16.00hs to 21.00hs; between 10.00hs and 14.00hs and from 16.00hs to 21.00hs on Thursday, March 28; between 10.00hs and 14.00hs on Friday, March 29; from 10.00hs to 14.00hs and from 16.00hs to 21.00hs on Sunday, March 31 and from 10.00hs to 14.00hs and 16.00hs to 21.00hes on Monday, April 1.
The roads and sections where more conflict is expected will be:
Province of Alicante.
• A-70: Pk. 0 - 31,2. Accesses and exits of the Alicante bypass.
• N-332: Pk.157 - 159. Access to Altea. Pk.95 - 86.5. Access to El Altet-Santa Pola and coast. Pk.49 - 55. Access to Torrevieja.
Province of Castellón.
• CV-13: PK. 16.4. Liaison branch with AP-7 and N-340 in Torreblanca.
Province of Valencia.
• A-3: Pk. 300 - 295. Requena Stretch (Entrance). Pk. 347 - 352. Quart de Poblet section (Entrance/Exit).
• A-7/A-3: Pk. 339 of A-3. Link of the two motorways (Entrance/Exit).
• N-332: Pk. 221.7 - 213.5. Extremes of the Gandía variant and crossings of Bellreguard and Oliva regulated by traffic lights (In/Out). Pk. 236+800. Access to Tavernes de la Valldigna and beaches (In/Out). Pk. 251,300. Roundabout access to Cullera and beaches (In/Out)
• CV-500: Stretch between the end of the motorway and the Rotonda del Sidi at the exit and between the Rotonda del Perellonet and the Rotonda del Saler in the returns.
Available resources
Agents of the Civil Guard Traffic Grouping, staff of the Traffic Management Centre, helicopter patrol and personnel in charge of equipment maintenance and installation of road measures will pay special attention to the traffic incidents that occur during these movements, especially aimed at achieving greater fluidity and security. In addition, there will be the collaboration of the local police for access to the large towns and crossings where they exercise surveillance.