It is imperative that you adhere to traffic regulations concerning speed limits on the roads, as failure to do so could result in a costly week. The DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) has announced that it will implement rigorous speed control measures throughout Spain from today, April 7th, until next Sunday, April 13th, as part of a global European campaign developed by the RoadPol (European Roads Policing Network) in all EU countries.

Excessive speed has emerged as the third most prevalent and frequent cause of fatal traffic incidents, despite its status as one of the most significant risk factors in driving. Excessive speed was the primary cause of up to 218 fatal accidents in our country last year, according to data published today by the DGT.

The DGT has announced that it will deploy all officers of the Guardia Civil’s Traffic Unit for special surveillance throughout the week. This surveillance will be conducted in conjunction with local and regional police forces. For instance, in the previous year, this initiative was implemented by up to 103 municipalities nationwide, which also implemented speed monitoring on their roadways. It is anticipated that an additional number of municipalities will participate in this new campaign.

Controls are available at any time and on all sorts of roads

The controls, which can be implemented immediately on all types of roads and at any hour of the day, will also be specifically implemented in areas that are currently associated with high speeds, as well as in areas where traffic consistently exceeds the established speed limit and there is a high accident rate.

Spain will also experience a substantial increase in the number of checkpoints this year. The DGT has announced that up to 41 new radars will be installed on roads this year, in addition to the numerous mobile radars deployed by the Guardia Civil’s traffic officers. The installation plan, which will result in the establishment of up to 122 new checkpoints throughout the year, includes 28 fixed radars and 15 new road sections. Pegasus helicopters and drones, which are traffic aerial resources, will also be participating in this unique speed monitoring campaign. Therefore, it is imperative that you maintain a vigilant surveillance of the skies.

In the previous year, over 64,000 drivers were issued fines within a seven-day period.
In order to comprehend the scope of the campaign that the DGT will initiate today, it is sufficient to examine the final data that has already been verified for the same initiative that was conducted by Traffic last year for an additional seven days. In 2024, the European initiative concluded in our country with a total of over 1.42 million vehicles inspected and a staggering 64,172 driving fines in the seven days it was in effect. This figure includes the officers, the 103 municipalities involved, and all active radars. In addition to the daily increase in mobility on Spanish roads, the number of citations is anticipated to increase this year due to the increased presence of officers and radars.

The DGT has confirmed that it aims to reduce the number of accidents resulting in fatalities and, in particular, the number of serious injuries. This is due to the fact that, as stated in an official statement released to the media, “speed not only influences the likelihood of being involved in a traffic accident, but also that the higher the speed, the more challenging it will be to react in time to prevent the accident and the more severe the injuries that result.”

The National Police are investigating a shooting that occurred this Sunday in the northern part of Alicante.

The occurrence occurred on a street in the neighbourhood during the late afternoon, when it was still light.

Police sources have reported that one individual sustained injuries from a knife, although it has not yet been determined whether the incident is associated with the gunshot.

Neighbours said on Saturday, 5th April, that an additional gunshot took place in the vicinity of a well-known supermarket in the area.

Workers in Spain continue to experience an annual decrease in their purchasing power, despite assurances of economic and wage enhancements. The average wage remains stagnant, which is causing increasing concern among citizens, despite the fact that prices for essential products such as housing, energy, and food are continuing to increase. Wage inequality continues to be one of the most pressing issues in the nation, despite the government’s dedication to enhancing working conditions.

Despite the fact that the minimum interprofessional wage has experienced some increases in recent years, these are insufficient to mitigate the increasing costs of essential products. Many workers are unable to make ends meet, despite working long hours, due to the abysmal wage disparity.

Despite the government’s assurances of an economic recovery, the government appears to be neglecting the issue of wage increases, and families are experiencing a growing burden of inflation.

Several commitments have been made regarding wage increases and the struggle against inequality since the commencement of the legislative period. Nevertheless, the measures implemented have not yielded the anticipated results. Unemployment remains elevated, and wages are inadequate to satisfy the fundamental requirements of the majority of citizens, despite the government’s persistent assertion that it is dedicated to the working class.

Is labour reform a genuine transformation or merely an additional solution to labour issues?
Despite the government’s approval of a labour reform that was designed to enhance the conditions of workers, numerous experts contend that the modifications have not been adequate. The economic vulnerability of many workers has been exacerbated by the rise in temporary contracts, and their working conditions remain precarious. The reform appears to have benefited large companies more than it has provided genuine solutions, as they continue to reduce labour costs without a significant change in workers’ income.

The government appears to have overlooked the fact that genuine economic recovery must commence from the ground up, with tangible measures to enhance the purchasing power of citizens. Despite the fact that earnings remain constant and prices continue to increase, it appears that the dedication to workers has been neglected.