[EN] Traffic prepares the roads for the great return of August and the MotoGP of Aragon

The end of August brings millions of drivers back to the Spanish roads. For many, the holidays are over and the return home begins, a return that will coincide with those who start their break in September, the vehicles that return to other European countries and the trips to the Grand Prix of Aragón de MotoGP.

For this reason, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) activates this Friday the last special device of the summer to deal with this increase in journeys. The operation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday 28 and will last until midnight on Monday 31 August.

The DGT forecasts 6,880,000 long-distance movements during these four days, marked by the widespread return of the summer holidays.

RETURN, SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS AND MOTOGP IN ARAGON

Return journeys will be distributed in a staggered manner between the days leading up to and the weekend itself. Traffic will be concentrated mainly from the tourist areas of the coast and rest to the large urban centres.

At the same time, the roads will register outbound movements, especially towards coastal tourist areas, both for those who start their holidays and for the usual trips of a summer weekend.

The return operation will also coincide with the celebration of the Aragon MotoGP Grand Prix, which will cause numerous movements of cars and, especially, motorcycles on the roads both in the direction of the circuit and during the return.

THE MOST COMPLICATED HOURS ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Traffic will begin to get complicated from the early afternoon of Friday 28, especially between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The DGT expects significant movements that will cause high intensities and traffic problems both at the exit of the large urban centers and on the main access roads to the tourist areas of the coast and rest for the beginning of the summer weekend.

On Saturday 29, intense traffic will continue in the direction of departure from the large urban centers from the early hours of the morning. The greatest difficulties are expected between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., mainly due to the usual short weekend journeys to areas of second homes and beaches.

SUNDAY WILL CONCENTRATE A GOOD PART OF THE RETURN

Sunday 30 will begin with difficulties in accessing beaches and coastal areas, with traffic problems on the itineraries that connect coastal towns. From the early afternoon, especially between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., the intensity of traffic will increase on the main road axes that channel the return from the coastal and rest areas to the large urban centers.

Those who finish their August holidays and those who return after enjoying the weekend will coincide in these hours. High traffic intensities are also expected on the communication axes with border crossings due to the return of vehicles with foreign license plates to their European countries of origin.

ON MONDAY 31, HEAVY TRAFFIC UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE

On Monday 31, traffic may present difficulties in the morning on short-distance routes, especially on the roads that connect coastal towns and in the accesses to beach areas.

Return movements will continue for practically the entire day and may cause traffic problems on the main road axes of the road network, especially between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. However, the DGT expects the intensity to be more distributed throughout the day and not reach excessively high peaks due to the number of people who will have already made the return during the previous days.

MORE TRAFFIC DUE TO THE RETURN TO OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

In addition to these movements, there will be a continuous influx of vehicles with foreign licence plates through the main axes and border crossings due to the return to their European countries of habitual residence after the summer break.

Traffic will deploy a series of regulation, organisation and surveillance measures to cover the operation and make the planned movements safe. To this end, it will have the maximum availability of its human resources: agents of the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard, personnel of the eight Traffic Management Centres of the DGT, workers in charge of the maintenance of equipment and the installation of roadside measures and personnel of the emergency services.

The device will also have fixed and mobile speed control radars, Pegasus helicopters, drones, cameras, vans and camouflaged motorcycles to control the use of mobile phones and seat belts and respect for other rules.

ADDITIONAL LANES AND ROAD RESTRICTIONS

Traffic will install reversible and additional lanes by signage, beaconing and cones during the busiest hours to facilitate circulation in the most conflictive areas. It will also establish alternative itineraries.

Likewise, road works will be stopped, the holding of sports events and other events that involve the occupation of the road will be limited and the circulation of vehicles transporting dangerous goods, special transport and goods trucks in general will be restricted on certain sections of roads, dates and times.