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Date Published: 11/07/2023

How Spanish traffic authorities can tell if you drive through a STOP sign

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Drivers in Spain who fail to stop or cross a continuous white line will be fined 200 euros

How Spanish traffic authorities can tell if you drive through a STOP sign

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has an endless number of systems to monitor the roads and driver behaviour in Spain: fixed cameras, mobile vans, section radars, drones and helicopters are constantly on the lookout for every kind of infraction from speeding and using mobile phones behind the wheel to incorrectly fastened seatbelts and child seats.

Despite all of these devices that can spot even the most minor of offences, the DGT has come up with yet another method to catch drivers who fail to come to a complete halt at a STOP sign or illegally cross a continuous white line while merging with a main road.

STOP sign cameras

Driving through a STOP sign has become one of the most common motoring offences in Spain after speeding, failing to maintain a safe distance, incorrectly entering the opposite lane and not giving way at the appropriate time.

And according to the traffic authorities, more than 1,000 drivers lost their lives in 2021 as a result of ignoring STOP signs.

To counteract this problem, the DGT has begun fitting cameras to STOP signs up and down the country that are fully calibrated to detect if the vehicle has stopped completely or simply slowed down, as most drivers do.

If drivers fail to come to a complete halt, their details and the video are sent to the Automated Complaints Treatment Center, where a 200-euro fine will be issued and four points will be deducted from their licence.

Cameras at continuous white lines

When merging with a main road, drivers are not allowed to cross a continuous white line and must instead join the new lane at the broken white line. To catch rule breakers in the act, the DGT will also install cameras on these stretches of road. The new system is capable of reading licence plates of cars that are travelling in the joining lane, and thus determine if they’ve merged with the main road ahead of time.

This infraction will also result in a 200-euro fine but drivers won’t lose any points from their licence.

Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates.

Image 1: Freepik

Image 2: DGT

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