National
4.3 million journeys expected on Spanish roads this weekend
By h.b. - Jul 4, 2008 - 8:05 AM
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More than 4.3 million journeys are expected on Spain’s roads this weekend at the start of what is the first ‘operación salida’ special traffic operation put in place as many Spaniards start their summer break.
Long hold-ups are expected on the exit roads of all the major cities, with special measures announced by the D.G.T. traffic authorities coming into effect at 3pm this afternoon and remaining in place over the weekend. Longest delays are forecast in Castilla-La Mancha, Valencia, Murcia and Andalucía.
Despite the recent high increases in petrol prices, research indicates that numbers of drivers will be as high as ever as holidays are considered sacred for most Spaniards.
Filling a tank with petrol will cost an average 9 € more than a year ago, while for diesel the increase is 18 €. However this increase is offset in many cases with cheaper holiday rents available this year along many of the costas.
As well as the fixed speed traps in place, there are 240 vehicles moving across the country working as speed traps.