Driving faster after installing a speed camera: the paradox of the latest decision of the DGT in Cantabria

The DGT has set itself the goal of making 2024 the year of the speed camera. In the first quarter, it confirmed that it intended to install 88 of these new speed controllers on our roads. According to Pere Navarro, director of the agency, “they are fairer” because they do not only punish those who exceed the maximum speed allowed at a specific point.

For some time now, the DGT has been betting on this type of speed camera, since watch the speed which is used for a long stretch. In fact, these stretches can reach tens of kilometres, as is the case in Palencia where it covers a total of 33 kilometres.

And the example has spread, as in other provinces radars for really long and extensive sections are also beginning to proliferate. One of them can be found in Cantabria, with another curiosity: it will raise the maximum speed at which you can drive. At least occasionally.

A section radar that increases speed

The A-8 motorway is known as the Cantabrian Motorway. It is called this because it links the Basque Country with Galicia on a road that almost always runs close to the sea.

Those of us who work in motor journalism know this road well, as there are many presentations that take place in the north of Spain. And, specifically, one of its sections is well remembered because it is always accompanied by a warning.

After passing the Basque Country, just as we enter Cantabria, the A8 motorway takes a severe descent that ends at the Ontón viaduct. A long straight road that ends in a curve (already on the viaduct) and begins a steep climb. In the opposite direction, exactly the same thing happens.

This section, given its gradient, is limited to 100 km/h but when we have attended a presentation, they have always warned us: “be careful on the descent, because there is a radar at 80 km/h.” And, indeed, If we consult the DGT databasethere we will find them:

Fixed radars on the A8 at kilometer points 144.48 in ascending direction (one of the most fined in Spain) and at 143.7 and 147.5 (at 80 km/h) in decreasing direction. Speed ​​controllers that will soon will be replaced for the work of a single section radar that will monitor a total of six kilometers.

Although there is no confirmed date, it is expected that the new section radar will be installed after this summer, between the Ontón viaduct and the Sámano exit. According to reports in Wave ZeroIt is confirmed that with this new controller the current fixed radars will be eliminated and that the maximum permitted speed will be 100 km/h.

Therefore, with the removal of the fixed 80 km/h radar, the DGT will raise the maximum speed of the road to 100 km/h on the entire section controlled by the section radar. The 80 km/h controller is thus eliminated, but drivers will now be monitored for longer.

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