The Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) will launch tomorrow the final special traffic operation of the summer, coinciding with the end of August and the return of millions of holidaymakers to their homes. Forecasts indicate that between 3:00 p.m. on Friday, 29 August and midnight on Sunday, 31 August, there will be around 5,060,000 long-distance journeys across the country.

The return flow will be staggered and will overlap with departures of those beginning their holidays in September, as well as with the journeys of European residents returning to their home countries after the summer.

Traffic forecasts

• Friday 29 August: Heavy traffic expected from mid-afternoon, particularly between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., both on city exits and on routes leading to coastal tourist areas.
• Saturday 30 August: Intense traffic leaving major cities between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., heading to beaches and second homes. In the afternoon, early return movements will begin towards urban centers.
• Sunday 31 August: Morning congestion on roads accessing beaches and coastal towns, followed by the peak return traffic between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., with heavy flows back to cities from holiday destinations.

In addition, significant traffic is expected at border crossings, as vehicles with foreign plates return to their European countries of residence.

Safety and control measures

To ensure safe travel, the DGT has put in place a wide-ranging operation that includes:

• Civil Guard Traffic officers and staff from the eight Traffic Management Centers.
• Technical resources: fixed and mobile speed cameras, Pegasus helicopters, drones, traffic cameras, and undercover vans and motorbikes to monitor speeding, mobile phone use, seat belt compliance, and motorcycle safety.
• Traffic management actions: installation of reversible and additional lanes, use of alternative routes, suspension of road works, restrictions on dangerous goods vehicles, special transports, and heavy trucks during certain hours and stretches.

Recommendations for drivers

Authorities stress that the most important goal is always to arrive safely. Drivers are reminded to:

• Start journeys well-rested.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Respect speed limits and all traffic regulations.
• Avoid distractions at the wheel.
• Stay updated on road conditions via the 011 helpline, the DGT website, radio and TV traffic reports, or the official X accounts @informacionDGT and @DGTes.

The DGT warns that time lost in a traffic jam cannot be recovered, and rushing afterwards only increases the risk of accidents.