This story came up on my RSS today.DGT (Tráfico) is to revise downwards the tolerances on radar traps in Spain. Until now the 'trip' speed on autopistas (motorways) and autovías (highways) has been set at 140kph. This is to be reduced to 132kph [no effective date given - perhaps today]. The limit allows for a 5% margin of error in speedometers and 5% for the speed camera radar. Speed in excess of 132kph will be punished by a fine of €120, but no points endorsment of the driver's licence.
The revised tolerance limits will be as follows:-
- autopistas (motorways) and autovías (highways) - 132kph
- conventional roads with a minimum 1.5m hard shoulder or multicarriageway - 110kph
- Other roads outside populated areas - 99kph
- Towns - 55kph
The above limits only apply to cars and motorcycles. Other vehicles have their speed limits adjusted accordingly. e.g. a car with trailer is only allowed to travel at 70kph on a 90kph road above and the tolerance for rader will now be 77kph for that type of vehicle on that type of road.
Footnote: Until 2005, Spain had a total of 250 fixed radar traps. The 2005 traffic plan calls for the installation of 250 more to make a total of 500. Some of these have already been installed. Under the constitution, the location of these radar traps must be made publicly available. Their location can be found on the DGT website here.
There are also a number of mobile units operated by the Guardia Civil. The cars carrying them are normally unmarked larger saloon cars such as Renault Laguna, Opel Vectra, or the Nissan Primera (pictured above) etc. - i.e. not easy to spot. There are commercial services which advertise the location of these mobile units, such as Inforadar. This is not illegal since the service does not rely on the use of radar detection equipment.
1 comment:
Once again we see the obsession with speed enforcement. I will remain unconvinced as to the effectiveness of cameras until I see a system that can accurately detect bald tyres, drunk driving, unlicensed or uninsured drivers,or defective lights.
Yes, I understand the need for speed limits and accept that inappropriate (not necessarily high) speed is a major factor in many traffic accidents. But which one of the following examples will ping a camera?
1. 110kph in a 100kph zone on a deserted dead-straight well-lit motorway at 3am.
2. 70kph weaving in and out of busy traffic on the same motorway during the morning rush hour when everyone else is doing 40kph.
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