- The Government Delegation calls for extreme caution on the road on the day of the eclipse
- The government delegate in the Community of Madrid has visited the headquarters of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) in a day in which half a million road trips are expected.
- During his visit, Francisco Martín Aguirre has made a new call for prudence and extreme precautions against the maximum risk of fires.
- More than 1,700 members of the State Security Forces and Corps will work to ensure security and mobility in the region.
- Among the main recommendations are to plan the trip in advance, stagger the return and park exclusively in the authorized areas.
- It is advisable to use public transport whenever possible and not to travel to points whose capacity is complete.
The government delegate to the Community of Madrid, Francisco Martín Aguirre, visited the headquarters of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) this morning to monitor the special traffic device deployed on the occasion of the solar eclipse.
During his visit he was accompanied by the provincial head of Traffic, Cristóbal Cremades Rodríguez, and made a new call for prudence and extreme precautions in a day in which half a million road trips are expected.
Given the significant increase in traffic, “sufficient resources have been provided by both the DGT and the Civil Guard to try to ensure that mobility in our region is able to manage the massive influx that we expect throughout the day and also in the return at night of those people who want to enjoy the eclipse in the areas of 100% visibility in the northern third of our region”. In particular, “more than 1,700 members of the State Security Forces are going to be working to guarantee security and mobility this evening and, together with them, hundreds of public servants from other entities and bodies such as the DGT”, said the delegate.
Regarding the special traffic device in the region, Cristóbal Cremades explained the surveillance deployed in three corridors in the zone of maximum visibility of the eclipse: “The corridor of the A-1 with the 607, the corridor of the A-6 that also overlooks the Sierra de Guadarrama and the corridor of the A-2 of all Henares and Guadalajara. These three large corridors will be subject to special surveillance through cameras, helicopters and, above all, the Civil Traffic Guard Group on our roads.”
Safety recommendations
Among the main recommendations, it is advisable to go to the observation points in time and share vehicles whenever possible, plan the trips in advance, stagger the return, consult the state of the roads and the recommendations of mobility of each municipality and not move to points whose capacity is complete.
In addition, it is completely forbidden to stop the vehicle on roadsides or sidewalks to observe the phenomenon, since this generates an extreme risk of accident; to see the eclipse, it is mandatory to leave the road and park in places where it is allowed.
It is also advisable to use public transport whenever possible, since numerous shuttles, buses and reinforced trains have been enabled on the lines that go to the areas of high visibility of the eclipse.
In the case of being behind the wheel during the event, the guidelines to follow are to turn on the passing lights during the darkening phase; increase the safety distance and adapt the speed to the traffic conditions; do not manipulate mobile phones or cameras to take photos or videos while driving; and do not use specific eclipse glasses or look directly into the sun while driving the vehicle. Also keep a special attention to pedestrians, which can be found in the immediate vicinity of the roadway at the observation points.
Maximum risk of fires
Martín Aguirre also recalled the importance of self-protection measures such as the use of certified glasses or not looking directly into the sun without protection. Special attention has deserved the situation of maximum risk of fires in the Community of Madrid. “It is very important that fires do not start” insisted the government delegate, insisting on a message of “maximum precaution” and to avoid any imprudence.
Update of observation points
Martín Aguirre has maintained the recommendation to go to the official observation points and has updated the location data with 64 observation points registered in 61 municipalities for the observation of the eclipse, after the last minute cancellations of Valdemanco and Quijorna.
“We are talking about 64 official points. All with their protection plan and therefore with the capacity to respond to an emergency situation. Also with the guarantee that, from these points, the fullness of the visibility of the eclipse will be guaranteed.”
The authorities recommend going to these official points to be able to enjoy the event in safety and evacuation in case of emergency. They are spaces selected to contemplate the eclipse in a safer and more orderly way, avoiding crowds and facilitating the action of security and emergency services.
The 64 observation points are located in 61 municipalities, since the towns of Canencia, Lozoya and Ambite have double points. Some have parking spaces enabled such as Buitrago del Lozoya, La Cabrera or Valdepiélagos. However, the recommendation is to use public transport whenever possible.
Consultation here The locations and capacity of all points.