A Historic Change: A New Safety-Centric Speed Limit Policy
Spain’s General Directorate of Traffic (Dirección General de Tráfico, DGT) is promoting a major reform aimed at reducing traffic accidents by gradually lowering the maximum speed limit from 120 km/h to 100 km/h on certain highways (autopistas) and expressways (autovías). Although the general limit in the current General Traffic Regulation remains unchanged, the DGT is authorized to make adjustments based on technical analysis. According to DGT Director Pere Navarro, the measure will be implemented in phases starting in 2025, with plans to cover more road sections by 2026.
Initial Pilot Sections and Technological Applications
The new regulation is already in effect in several regions. In Galicia, sections of the AG-55, which connects La Coruña and Carballo, now have a permanent speed limit of 100 km/h, especially in areas with sharp curves, steep gradients, or poor visibility. This is enforced with an average speed camera system that monitors average vehicle speeds. In the Basque Country, six sections of the AP-8 highway have adopted the 100 km/h limit. Meanwhile, on the AP-7 highway in Catalonia, a more advanced dynamic speed limit system is in use. For example, between Montornès del Vallès and El Papiol in the province of Barcelona (kilometers 132-161), the system automatically adjusts the speed limit based on real-time traffic flow, weather, and other factors, with the current regular maximum limit set at 100 km/h.
The Scientific Basis Behind the Decision
This speed limit adjustment is not arbitrary but is based on a multi-faceted technical and safety assessment:
- Physical Road Conditions: Lowering speed limits on sections with poor road surfaces, steep gradients, or tight curve radii to reduce driving risks.
- Environmental Factors: In areas prone to adverse weather like rain and fog, which cause low visibility, reducing the speed limit is an effective preventive measure against accidents.
- Accident Data Analysis: Prioritizing the new speed limits on sections with a high incidence of traffic accidents for precise intervention.
- International Best Practices: Responding to the call from the United Nations’ report on “Recommended Measures for Improving Road Infrastructure Safety,” which explicitly states that lowering speed limits is one of the most effective strategies for reducing traffic accidents.
Driver Responsibilities and Reminders
The DGT emphasizes that drivers must always pay attention to roadside traffic signs and variable-message electronic panels to get the latest speed limit information. Officials warn that speeding or inappropriate speed is a key factor in serious traffic accidents. Even when speeding is not the direct cause of an accident, it significantly increases the probability of death or serious injury. Therefore, adhering to the posted speed limit is not just a legal obligation but also a core responsibility to protect one’s own life and the lives of others.
