ROADWATCH Issue 06
www.n332.es 2,00€
MOBILE PHONES
Plus: New Cameras - Easter Planning - Drink Drive Campaign and MORE
Welcome to N332 RoadWatch
Contents
Welcome to the latest edition of N332 RoadWatch eMagazine. Easter is here, and so are the countless tourists who are moving through the country, as one of the busiest times on the roads takes hold. In this issues, we look at the special operation that is taking place around the country, with advice on the busiest times to avoid. It´s not only the Easter period, it´s also Hay Fever season, and so we look again at allergies and how they can cause problems when we are driving. We also look at other drugs too, especially how to recognise medication that we may not realise poses a risk. The new mobile phone campaign launched by the DGT takes the lead however, as attempts are made to try and tackle an ever increasing problem, using mobiles and devices when driving, not just for making calls, but for WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social networks, all of which poses a significant risk. There is lots more inside too, we´ve added a CONTENTS box on the right to help you, so we hope you will find lots of interest in this issue, remember to keep checking the website, n332.es, for more.
4 Torrevieja N-332 Widening Plan Faces Further Setback 5 Warning over Breathalyser Scam 6 Crash Barriers to be Replaced 6 Spain Asks For Help Policing Foreign Drivers 8 Smart Roundabouts Coming Soon? 9 Smoking in Cars 10 Peace of Mind When You Most Need It 11 One in Four Cyclists Test Positive for Alcohol 12 Dealing with Allergies 13 Little Drummer Boy Caught 14 Hundreds of Children Put at Risk 15 Children in Cars 16 European Road Statistics Published 18 Buying a New Car – Your Rights 20 Preparing for the ITV 23 Easter Operations 26 New Mobile Phone Campaign 28 N332 on the Road 32 The Gallery 34 Drug Advice 35 Europe´s Worst Drivers 36 The Visual Field
N332 RoadWatch is published by Mark Nolan, an independent and autonomous publicist. ALL content is protected by international copyright laws and must not be reproduced or copied, in part or in full, without the express permission of the publisher. For advertising and sales enquiries, please call (0034) 69 44 65 821 or email admin@n332.es. Website support and development is from MANDAMEDIA.eu The publisher is not responsible for errors and information presented herein is not legally binding.
NEWS CATCH UP
Torrevieja N-332 Widening Plan Faces Further Setback Hopes for widening of the N-332 as it passes through Torrevieja have met the latest in a decade-long list of problems, this time because the project plan has been rejected by the Ministry of Public Works as it contains thirteen major deficiencies, and was submitted late. Much of the N-332 was widened as part of a major road redevelopment plan, but the eight-kilometre stretch through Torrevieja was left without any significant changes to the road, where traffic far exceeds the capacity, especially during touristic seasons such as Easter and summer, where traffic is normally brought to a standstill, and incidents are a plenty, some with fatal consequences. At the time, many politicians blames the ruling local PP for their lack of action in submitting the plans, a subject which then became a political battle point for the last ten years, without any actual action taking place to resolve it. The regional government are responsible for submitting the project to central government, who will be footing the bill, on behalf of the municipality, which, in August of 2006 when this should have been done, were all run by the Partido Popular. Now, after a decade of political blame, the PP run central government have rejected the plan submitted by the socialist-led regional government on behalf of the coalition-run municipality. The Mayor of Torrevieja, José Manuel Dolón, has presented the problems to the press and explained how he has called for an urgent meeting with all levels of government involved, so that the problem can be resolved once and for all. On this occasion, the eight-month-late project plan contains thirteen deficiencies, including “the lack of concretion of the land expropriated to carry out the works” and even the fact that the “necessary land is insufficient to execute it”. The latest plan would see the road widened to just “a few metres from houses” in some places, which would cause “problems of acoustic impact”. Other locations are lacking any kind of adequate drainage and flood defence. The government has set aside funds for the work, to the tune of a million euro per year, but still, without the correct project plan being in place, drivers will still face the same problems, albeit of an increasing magnitude, until the action can finally be resolved.
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NEWS CATCH UP
Warning over Breathalyser Scam A warning has been issued over a fake notice that is being distributed through social media, warning that it is now mandatory for all vehicles in Spain to carry portable breathalysers. Firstly, the notice regarding the mandatory requirements are totally fake. You do not have to carry any kind of alcohol detection equipment in your vehicle, and, therefore, you will not be fined if you don´t. There are also currently no plans for this rule to be implemented in Spain. The adverts, warnings and notices are all a scam, aimed at encouraging innocent victims to visit a website, view falsified news reports, and then purchase the breathalysers direct from the supplier. There is no evidence yet of anybody having actually been scammed, but it is only a matter of time before somebody does. Remember, this notice is totally fake, you do not have to carry a breathalyser in Spain.
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NEWS CATCH UP Crash Barriers Spain Asks For Help to be Replaced Policing Foreign Drivers
The Spanish Government has unanimously approved a motion calling for measures to improve the safety motorcycle riders, including the replacement of crash barriers with alternative deflection equipment in areas prone to high motorbike casualty figures. The motion was presented by the Ciudadanos political group, and approved by 311 deputies from all political parties. As well as on the national road network, instructions will be sent to local municipalities to ensure all roads comply with the new ruling. The overall plan also calls for a further set of measures, such as identifying the most dangerous sections of roads and informing motorists of their location through all available means, improving the quality and maintenance of roads, reducing potholes, gravel and other obstacles and increasing the traction. Finally, the proposal urged the promotion of training programs for drivers and bikers, as well as campaigns aimed at alerting all road users, including motorcyclists, of the dangers on mixed traffic, and urging everybody to drive within the confines of law, and with a more sensible attitude to all.
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Spain´s DGT has called for strengthened mechanisms to be implemented to simplify sanctions of foreign drivers, after Brussels denounces the lack of cooperation between countries. DGT officials in Malta, where the EU High Level Road Safety Group meeting was held, said that “The volume of the [fines] that are processed makes the system [approved in a Community directive] insufficient in terms of efficiency and efficacy”, reporting that only 50% of the files opened end with the fine being paid, according to a Brussels report. The request from the Spanish Government comes after a Commission report published late last year reproached the twenty-eight countries who had not “exploited the full potential” of the electronic system designed to exchange information on traffic offences. In this regard, Brussels denounced the lack of cooperation between countries. For example, Portugal, who does not exchange data. The DGT want to take action against more dangerous foreign drivers who do not maintain the safety distance, carry out dangerous overtaking or parking, putting safety at risk. Three modalities that are not considered in the current Community directive, which only allows to provide data for speeding, failing to stop at a traffic light, riding without a helmet, the use of the mobile phones, not using the belt, driving in a prohibited lane, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “We are going to work to be the first,” said Gregorio Serrano, Director General of the DGT, after the EU published the latest data. “We are told at the meeting of the European Union that Spain is the fourth safest country in road safety. About traffic accidents. According to this report, Spain is still among the countries with the lowest rate of victims, although it has increased by 2% in 2016 compared to 2015. Last year, 37 deaths per million inhabitants were recorded, compared to 36 in the previous year - in 2010, they were 56 per million, which implies a decrease of 33%.
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NEWS CATCH UP
Clever Roundabouts Coming Soon? Although roundabouts may be the cause of confusion and dread to some drivers, they provide a unique way of allowing traffic to flow freely thorough road intersections. However, when the volume of traffic is too high for the layout of the road, congestion results in delays, which can end up with massive traffic jams. Now, researchers from the UPV (Universidad PolitĂŠcnica de Valencia) have come up with what they think is a revolutionary system to ease that congestion, by implanting sensors in the road that detect the passage of vehicles and determine when the volume of traffic is very high, which would then cause traffic lights to be activated to slow down vehicles on approach, allowing extra time for those in the area to manoeuvre through the roundabout, and, in some cases, stopping traffic on quieter roads to allow the congestion to ease. The idea is to avoid situations in which the excessive entry of vehicles causes a general jam that prevents progress in any direction. With this system, it is possible to restore a normal traffic flow in a short time, managing the exceptional situations in a simple but effective way.
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The system used, known as ramp meter, is already used successfully in some countries on access routes to motorways and main roads, restricting access when traffic on the main carriageway is too dense. Now, the system can be adapted and customised to the needs of roundabouts.
Smoking in Cars We have recently seen an increase in the number of people asking a recurring question, is it illegal to smoke in cars in Spain? The short answer is no, not at the moment. The confusion seems to stem from two sources. The first being a law which is aimed at preventing anything interfering with the driver or the act of driving. There might be a theoretical case where smoking could lead to distraction, but it is only theoretical, the law does not in any way mention smoking. Panic has been spread through social media warning that officers are fining drivers for smoking at the wheel on the basis of this law. This is not the case. There have been no recorded fines or sanctions for distractions caused by smoking. There have however been fines issued to drivers for discarding cigarettes and smoking materials from vehicles. It is against the law to throw a cigarette from a vehicle, or any other smoking paraphernalia, and the fine is a hefty 200 euro, plus six points off your licence. Whereas these fines may seem a little excessive to some, it is because these actions pose a very serious risk. For most of the year now, Spain is on alert for the risk of forest fires. These fires destroy almost unmeasurable amounts of vegetation, damage the environment, kill animals and wildlife, and, on a number of occasions, have resulted in human tragedy and the loss of life. That is why the practice is dealt with so strictly, what might seem like an innocent action of throwing a cigarette away, can all too quickly result in an escalating natural disaster that can cost countless lives. The second confusing factor comes from a law relating to smoking in a car whilst carrying children. Some countries, such as parts of the UK for example, do have laws in place which makes this illegal. The law came into force in England and Wales in October, 2015, and in Scotland in December, 2016, which aimed to protect young people under 18 from second-hand smoke. Anyone found flouting the law in England could be fined ÂŁ50. The British Lung Foundation welcomed the ban as a victory, reporting that more than 430,000 children are exposed to second-hand smoke in cars each week. However, smokers' group Forest said it was unenforceable. Bans on smoking in cars when children are present already exist in some US states, including California, as well as in parts of Canada and Australia. Perhaps needless to say but smoking does of course pose a health risk to the occupants of a vehicle, and there are safety implications too. Anything which might be a distraction or a risk should be avoided, but within the constraints of law, you are currently free to smoke whilst driving.
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PEACE OF MIND WHEN YOU MOST NEED IT Not a cheery subject, but have you ever thought about how would cope with the funeral arrangements if your partner passed away? Different customs, difficulties with the language and all at a time when you are grieving. It is often a subject that expats shy away from talking about but in reality the organisation of a funeral in Spain can be quite daunting and is increasing in price all the time. Another consideration is that it is quite common for bank accounts of the deceased to be frozen leaving loved ones with a financial as well as emotional burden. For these reasons you should consider buying a funeral plan. It might seem a morbid purchase but it is practical, will ease the burden on your family and sadly it will one day be used. Why not speak to Ibex Insurance. Our customer advisers can put your mind at ease and go through all the benefits of taking out a Golden Leaves Funeral Plan. You will never be pressured to buy. There are three Plans available to choose from. You pay today´s prices and the funds are invested in an independent Trust Fund on your behalf. So however much the cost of a funeral rises, you still get exactly what you have planned and paid for. No medical or health questionnaires to complete and whatever your age or medical conditions are you can purchase a plan. With a Golden Leaves Plan it is simple, it is paid for and the family just have to make a call and a Golden Leaves International Counsellor will assist from there – removing all language barriers. Maybe your plans will change after losing a loved one and do not want to stay in Spain any longer. Don’t worry, your Golden Leaves funeral plan is transferrable back to another country. There are easy payment options available rather than paying the full price, it is possible to pay over 12 months interest free or if you prefer, you can pay over 3 or 5 years. Once the plan is paid for, that’s it. This is not an insurance policy, where a premium is paid annually until death. Just call into one of our local offices in Quesada, Orihuela Costa, Mazarron, Mojacar, Albox, Fuengirola, Estepona, Mallorca or Tenerife and speak to one of the customer advisors who can prepare a personal free no obligation quotation for you. http://www.ibexinsure.com/office-locator
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One in Four Cyclists Test Positive for Alcohol Startling statistics produced by the Madrid Municipal Police have revealed that during their campaigns to test for cyclists who have consumed alcohol, one in four tested positive. Since 2010, a total of 659 alcohol tests have been performed on cyclists, from which 166 were found to have exceeded the allowed maximum rate. The tests were carried out for various reasons, 599 were carried out in checkpoints, 43 after the cyclist was involved in a traffic accident and 17 for committing some other type of offence on the road. During the period, 4 cyclists refused to carry out the test. The most commonly reported case is that of young people who are returning home after a night of partying, in which they have consumed alcohol and they decide to cycle home rather than drive their car. Although they may well believe they are acting responsibly by doing so, a bicycle is still a vehicle and can still have fatal consequences if involved in a collision. That said, it is also reported that some of those young people caught used the bicycle knowing it was an offence, but thought it more likely they would avoid
being stopped on a bike. The Municipal Police of Madrid perform daily breath tests on people who drive in all types of vehicles, including the bicycles, and during the last seven years, 25% of the cyclists who have submitted to them have tested positive. The controls are performed in shifts in the morning, afternoon and evening, and take place in all districts of the capital. In addition, they are all random, so they can stop any type of vehicle and under any circumstances.
Dealing with Allergies Suffering from allergies and being a driver are a combination of factors that poses a potential risk on the roads. In a new campaign by the DGT, it is revealed how a sneezing fit of just 5 seconds, means that a car travelling at 90 kilometres per hour covers a distance of 125 metres, the distance greater than a football field, when the driver´s attention is distracted as a result. The sneezing fit can often last longer than 5 seconds though, perhaps 8, 10 or more, with the vehicle continuing to travel without the driver´s full attention. On a normal, dry road, the overall stopping distance for a car travelling at 90 kilometres per hour is calculated at 65.7 metres, just half of the distance covered during our 5 second sneezing fit. During the reaction time alone, the vehicle would have travelled 25 metres. In other words, in the event of an incident ahead, there would not be enough time to react and stop. Sneezing is only one symptom of an allergic reaction, most commonly Hay Fever at this time of year, severe itching of the eyes, irritation, congestion or a runny nose, light sensitivity and many more combinations of symptoms, all make driving particularly problematic for sufferers. Drugs to combat the physical symptoms can help ease the dreaded onset of Hay Fever, but some of these drugs also cause problems with driving, sometimes causing drowsiness, or other problems, and can interact with prescribed medication. Sufferers of Hay Fever might have already realised that the pollen season has started early once again in Spain, but it can vary depending on the geographical location. Within the car, keeping the vehicle clean, inside and out, can remove much of the residual pollen, as can the installation of filters in the air distribution system. Keeping windows closed, wearing sunglasses and avoiding key problematic times
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such as dawn and dusk can all ease the symptoms. All antihistamines sold in Spain should carry a pictogram on their packaging, depicting a car within a danger warning signal, which is designed to alert drivers of the possible effects on the ability to drive safely. However, it may not be present on imported medication. But, if you see this sign you need to be aware that your driving ability is likely to be affected. If you are taking any medication, make sure you read the instruction leaflet, or check with your doctor or pharmacist about interactions with other medication and driving. The website from the Sociedad Española de Aerobiología, www.polenes.com, can offer information within Spain, and allows you to select the different regions to see the current status of pollen and help you plan your driving activities.
Little Drummer Boy Caught In a recent patrol by a Pegasus-equipped DGT helicopter, flying observers noticed a driver carrying out an unusual procedure behind the wheel, something they had never seen before, and, although the Pegasus cameras were perhaps not the fame and coverage he sought, the cameras recorded him with “two pieces of wood being used as drumsticks to beat the upper part of the steering wheel as if it were playing the drums to the rhythm of the music.” The incident was recorded by a Lugo based officer as the vehicle was travelling along the A-6 motorway. The driver was spotted at kilometre 516 of the A-6, the motorway linking Madrid and A Coruña, as it passes through the province of Lugo.
The driver was observed beating his tune “for something more than a minute,” according to the officers, “which allowed him to travel a great distance on the motorway”, a distance where the driver was not fully in control of the vehicle. To do this he had released both hands off the steering wheel, “to grab a stick in each of them, remaining in this attitude until he noticed that the helicopter was flying over his vehicle , at which point he ceased”, the officers reported. However, his change of actions were too late, as he had already posed a significant risk and was subsequently reported for crimes against road safety, and was called to appear live on the stage known as court for processing.
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Hundreds of Children Put at Risk In the latest seven-day campaign that saw intensified surveillance for the use of seatbelts and child restraint systems, 240 children were found travelling in vehicles without any kind of safety retention system being used. Of the 240 children found not secured in the vehicles, 64 of them were travelling in the front seats, where they are not permitted by law, although the law which dictates that they must be secured in the vehicle had already been ignored, so it is hardly surprising that the adults responsible would also be so blatant about that fact. In the campaign which ran between the 13th and 19th of March, Guardia Civil traffic officers carried out checks on 341,845 vehicles, in which they detected 3,083 infractions, where drivers or passengers who did not make use of the regulatory retention system. The campaign was also supported by regional and local police, who carried out their own checks, and Pegasus equipped helicopters from the DGT, monitoring from the air. These combined figures are still to be finalised and added to the total carried out by the traffic officers. The data from the checks reveal that 99% of people who were caught not wearing a seatbelt were travelling on conventional roads, the type of road where 8 out of 10 road fatalities occur. The seat belt is a basic and fundamental element of road safety, a life insurance. For this reason, its use is mandatory for all occupants of the vehicle and on all types of roads. In addition, the correct use of it is essential to fulfil the purpose for which it was created.
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Children In Cars Children measuring 135 cm in height or less must ride in the rear seats of a vehicle, irrespective of their age, and must sit in the correct and approved seat appropriate to their size and weight. The Child Restraint Systems provide the best protection for a child when on board a vehicle. That is why the law dictates their use, in an attempt to enforce the maximum protection for children. The use of child restraint systems reduces injuries by up to 75% in the event of a collision. According to data from the DGT, road traffic incidents are the leading cause of death amongst children under 14 years of age, and, tragically, 40% of those children who lose their lives wore no protection system, and, according to the statistics, could well be alive today. The law also requires seats to be of an approved standard. Those which meet the minimum required standards carry an orange label, usually located at the rear, which guarantees that the seat has undergone a series of tests to prove safety and reliability. The approval system is based on a European standard and EU regulation ECE-R44.03, which also ensures certain information is listed on the label.
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European Road Statistics Published The European Commission has published the latest accident figures for the whole European continent: 25,500 people died and 135,000 were seriously injured in road traffic incidents on European roads during 2016. This supposes a reduction of 2% in the number of deaths compared to the previous year, although the data is still considered provisional and so may change. By country, Spain is the fourth country with the lowest number of deaths per million inhabitants (37), only behind Sweden (27), the United Kingdom (28) and the Netherlands (33) and well below the EU average of mortality on road (50). At the other extreme, the countries with the highest mortality are Bulgaria (99), Romania (97), Latvia (80) and Poland (79). “After two years of immobility in the figures, 2016 has brought a return of the downward trend, in the last six years, fatalities decreased by 19%,” said community sources. However, although this trend in road accidents in the continent is described as encouraging, the same sources say that they “could be insufficient” to meet the goal set by the European Union to halve the number of fatalities between 2010 and 2020 . “The statistics… show a significant improvement and constitute an excellent basis to continue working, but it is not a matter of numbers, but loss of lives and families affected by it. EU roadways and the number of seriously injured will be five times higher. I would like to invite all stakeholders to step up their efforts to halve the number of road fatalities between 2010 and 2020,” concluded Transport Commissioner, Violeta Bulc.
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Buying a New Car - Your Rights
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When you purchase a new car from a dealer, you have a certain level of peace of mind accompanying your purchase. New cars are covered by a legal guarantee of 2 years without a mileage limit, whereas the manufacturer has to take care of the faults and breakdowns that have arisen with the car, so long as they are not caused by misuse, lack of maintenance or wear. Factory defects are also covered by the legal guarantee, but in this case the claim must be made during the first six months from the date of delivery of the vehicle. After that time it is necessary to prove that the defect is actually caused at the manufacture stage and, for that, an expert report must be presented to prove it. The Madrid-based AsociaciĂłn MadrileĂąa de Distribuidores de AutomĂłviles (AMDA), also wants to advise owners that you also have consumer rights if you have to visit the workshop for these repairs. In the event that the vehicle suffers a fault covered by the warranty, the time spent in the workshop for repair will not count as part of the warranty period and that time will be added to the original date of termination of the warranty. It is necessary to request a receipt with the date of delivery and return of the vehicle, together with the repair report. The buyer not only has rights when buying a car, but work carried out in authorised mechanic's workshops are guaranteed, whether it is a maintenance check or a repair. It is however necessary to differentiate between two situations: when it is a repair covered by the legal guarantee, in this case the period of cover is six months; If it is a repair outside the warranty period, the workshop will be responsible for its work for three months or 2,000 kilometres. Many manufacturers offer the option to optionally expand the warranty period. The conditions vary according to the manufacturers, the length of time, mileage, and what is covered. Therefore, the conditions must be read carefully.
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Preparing for the ITV The DGT is all too aware of the number of vehicles on the road which have not achieved the minimum required safety standard to acquire an ITV certificate. New technology is starting to seek out these vehicles and get the drivers to remedy the faults, many of which we can all spot on a daily basis, whether it is a light not working properly, aesthetic additions to the vehicle, worn tyres, and a multitude of other potentially dangerous faults. According to a survey by Autoclub Mutua, the largest motoring club in Spain belonging to the Mutua MadrileĂąa Group, the reasons for failing the ITV are also those most commonly seen, with defective tyres causing 33.9% of all failures, and deficiencies in the lighting system responsible for 30.9%, both of which can be easily checked by the driver, and remedied before they present a problem. The somewhat hidden danger of faulty brakes is only responsible for 8.2% of all failures, and faulty fuel gauges are responsible for 9.4%. The Autoclub Mutua figures also reveal that problems related to steering and suspension represent 4.8% of the reasons why a vehicle does not obtain a favourable inspection. Likewise, other causes for which a car does not pass the ITV are related to the installation of elements that have not been approved. According to Autoclub Mutua data, a third of all ITVs are concentrated in the months of May, June and July, so an early inspection may prove prudent, but constant monitoring is a must, to ensure your vehicle passes without problem.
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For their part, the Autoclub have also offered a list of recommendations on how to keep your vehicle in favourable condition, especially important at times such as now, in preparation for the Easter holiday period. 1 - Perform a proper inspection and maintenance of the vehicle before leaving on vacation. 2 – You must at least check the following elements: wheels and tyres, fluid levels, leaks, battery, electrical system, lights, cooling system and brakes. 3 - Do not drive under any circumstances with an expired ITV. 4 - Prepare your itinerary correctly: especially when going on excursions and short trips. 5 - Do not start a trip if you have not rested enough, as your reflexes and your ability to react will not be as normal. 6 - Avoid last-minute manoeuvres and corrections, as well as recklessness whilst driving. If you miss your turnoff, continue until the next and recalculate your route. 7 - Do not set a fixed time of you arrival at your destination, as delays can then cause minor panic and unsafe practice in order to meet that deadline. 8 - Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or any other undue substance, even on short, known journeys. 9 - Do not overload the car. Being overweight can lead to instability in driving and inefficiency of braking. 10 – Do not allow luggage to obscure your view from the vehicle, including from behind. 11 - Driving efficiently saves fuel and extends engine life, tyres and moving parts. 12 - Using cruise control will lead to better fuel economy. 13 – Exercise caution when refuelling at gas stations where you are not used to doing so. You may misunderstand the layout and choose the wrong fuel. Be vigilant of your surroundings and any suspicious activity. 14 - Transport your pet in approved restraint systems. If you travel with your pet, have the carrier or retention system duly approved. If you are nearing your ITV, or just want your vehicle checked by professionals before a long journey, our friends at Autos Direct in San Miguel will be able to help you. They already offer pre-ITV checks, including carrying out all the checks that the test will involve, such as on the “rolling road”, and they will even arrange to have your ITV inspection done for you, all for a very reasonable fee. However, if you mention that you are a friend on N332, they will also give you a discount, just for being part of our group. You can visit the Autos Direct website at www.autosdirect.es, visit them at Calle Espliego, Poligono Industrial Lo Quilez Parc 22-23, San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante 03193- Or, you can call them on +34 966 723 718.
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Easter Operations As one of the busiest periods of the year on Spain´s roads gets underway, the DGT has launched a special operation to ensure the safest and smoothest flow of traffic, as the sharp increase in vehicles offers a potential for delays, incidents and other traffic problems. The Plan The special operation started at 15:00 on Friday, April 7, and runs until midnight on Monday the 17th, when approximately 14.8 million long-distance journeys are expected. Unlike other vacation periods, in which the displacements are more staggered, during the Easter period a large number of movements take place in a very short period of time, with origins and similar destinations (tourist areas on the coast and mountain regions and second homes, this time areas of religious interest are also popular, thus generating a higher concentration of vehicles at designated times. As a result, the operation is divided into two separate phases over the ten-day period. The first phase runs from 15:00 on Friday, 7 April and will end at midnight on Sunday 9 April. During Phase 1, it is anticipated that there will be 3.6 million trips. The second phase, which is more important than the previous one due to the volume of vehicle movements along the entire road network, will start on Wednesday, April 12, except in the community of Catalonia that will begin the following day. Phase 2 will end at midnight on Monday, April 17, with the return operation that will take place from Saturday afternoon, will last throughout Sunday and Easter Monday, as some areas recognise the Monday as a holiday, such as the Balearics, Catalonia, Comunidad Valenciana, Navarra, Basque Country and La Rioja. In the rest of the communities, although it is not a festive day, it is a non-school day for schoolchildren and university students, so it is expected that there will also be a significant amount of return movements towards the large urban centres.
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Preparing for Easter Safety Measures In order to ensure a smoother flow of traffic, there will be a variety of procedures implemented, including the creation of temporary additional lanes in high volume areas, the cancellation of all none essential road works, restricting road closures due to sporting events, and restrictions on the movement of dangerous goods. In addition, alternative routes will be planned and signposted, offering options to some of the most popular destinations, and ways of avoiding traffic queues. These routes can be seen on the DGT website, dgt.es, where you can also see a live overview of the national traffic situation, and adjust your route plans accordingly. You can also use the DGT app, available from the Play Store and App Store, which also offers route and traffic information, and you can follow @informacionDGT on Twitter. Monitoring the Flow In order to maintain a safer network, all available officers from the Guardia Civil Traffic department will be on duty throughout the entire period, supported by more than 13,000 road workers, 800 technicians, and the support of other emergency services. In the spotlight During this Easter period, traffic officers will be paying close attention to secondary roads, intensifying monitoring for some of the most dangerous practices, including speed, the wearing of seatbelts, the use of mobile phones, alcohol and drugs, illegal and dangerous overtaking, driving too close, and others. In fact, there will be a zero tolerance policy in place for alcohol and drug use, with random checkpoints in place throughout the period, day and night. Other forces will be assisting in monitoring traffic too, with the DGT providing equipment such as radar cars to local police forces so they can monitor roads for speeding drivers, and have provided more equipment and training for alcohol and drugs checks at a local level. Remember also that all vehicle occupants must be wearing a seatbelt. If no seatbelt is available, such as in the case of a back seat which only has two seatbelts, then a passenger cannot be carried. One seatbelt per person. Children under 1.35 metres are not allowed in the front seats, and all children must be properly restrained in a seat suitable to their height and weight. Adults must also be properly restrained, wearing the seatbelt correctly.
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The officers on the ground will also be supported from the air, with all 12 of the DGT´s helicopters ready to take flight, including the 8 which are equipped with Pegasus monitoring equipment, looking for speeding and dangerous drivers, and for the use of seatbelts and mobile phones. The new network of monitoring cameras will also be live, now issuing fines to those caught by these new watchful eyes. Busier than Normal It is expected that Easter this year will be even busier than previous operations, with an increase in vehicles and movements. There is also advice to consider if you actually need to use the car, and whether public transport might be a better option. If you are going to take the car, always check the vehicle before any long journey, looking at the lights, tyres, windows and liquids. Plan your journey in advance, allowing plenty of time to reach your destination. Take plenty of breaks on long trips, take your time, stay calm, and enjoy the journey.
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New Campaign to Discourage Mobile Use A new campaign has been launched by the DGT, aimed at attempting to raise awareness of the dangers of using a mobile phone, by using humour as their means of delivering the message. The Minister of the Interior, Juan Ignacio Zoido, launched the campaign which is hoped will become a viral message spread through social media. The campaign utilises the popular comedic skills of the comedy group Tricicle, formed of three actors, Joan Gracia, Paco Mir and Carles Sans, in order to deliver the very serious message of the danger of distractions during driving, especially the increasingly frequent use of the mobile phone. Zoido said, “We want to universalize a simple, friendly and cordial gesture that serves to warn those drivers or pedestrians who are using their mobile phone while driving or crossing the road of the risk involved in using their phones”, and there is “no one better than Tricicle for expressing the message with a simple gesture”. By utilising social media platforms it is hoped that the message will reach as many people as possible, especially as social media users are amongst a growing group who don’t realise that the problem is not only in talking to people on the phone, checking Facebook or Twitter on your device, for example, is equally dangerous. A video has been released to accompany the campaign, with the simple message, “At the wheel, don’t use your mobile”, which is available on various social media accounts already, and the n332.es website. Distractions cause 30% of all fatal incidents, so that at least 500 people die each year in traffic incidents where distraction appears as a concurrent factor. Among the most frequent distractions is the use of the mobile, an action that is classified as a very dangerous practice by 94% of drivers, according to the study of the RACC and, despite the danger 43% of all young people “WhatsApp” whilst driving, according to another survey of more than 6,000 young Europeans.
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When dialling a number on a mobile phone in a vehicle travelling at 120 kilometres per hour, a distance of 429 metres is travelled, the equivalent of around 4 football fields. If we write a message, we travel 660 metres blind. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, using the mobile to send messages involves three forms of distraction: visual distraction while the eyes are reading the screen; Cognitive distraction, the mind is busy elaborating the message and manual distraction as the fingers are typing the letters or buttons. The combined result being that the actions multiply the possibility of an incident by 23 times. “We have an important awareness ahead of the real risk of using the mobile while driving. Nothing is so urgent that I cannot wait a few minutes”, said Zoido. Part of the campaign is encouraging anybody who witness drivers, or pedestrians crossing the road, to make a hand gesture indicating hanging up the phone, similar to a campaign from a few years ago that encourage a finger wag and the phrase “oi” to be used towards drivers. More people have been seen making the gesture, including the Director General of the DGT, Gregorio Serrano, who posted his video on the official Facebook page, also available on the n332.es website. During many of the recent talks given by N332 members, attendees were not only shown the videos but also actively took part in showing themselves using the gesture.
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N332 on the Road The N332 Roadshow has had a busy spring, visiting various associations in the local area offering presentations on road safety matters to their members. This period has seen members of the team visit Help at Home Costa Blanca, the RAF Association, the No Smoking Club in Torrevieja, the local U3A, and the Mas Amigos Nordic association, amongst others. Collectively, hundreds of people have attended the events, but one problem facing the Nordic association was the size of their venue, only able to accommodate 40 people, with a large waiting list being left disappointed. The group leaders came up with a way of satisfying those unable to attend in person however, by broadcasting the entire presentation via Facebook Live. Once the presentation was over, the video remained on Facebook, and was viewed by thousands more people, all now able to experience the talk from the comfort of their own home. The video is available on the n332.es website by the way, just search for Mas Amigos, or Facebook Live and you will find it. A significant milestone was reached during the talk, as during the introduction explaining the background of the project, the attendees were told how the Facebook page had over 90,000 followers. Unbeknown to the presenters until afterwards, during that presentation the number of followers reached over 100,000. The team will be concluding this period of talks with presentations at local schools just after Easter, before taking a break for the busy summer period, returning to the road in the autumn. We already have a number of talks booked, but if you have an association or group who can get around 60 or so members together, on more, we still have some availability in the autumn. Email news@n332.es if you are interested.
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If you snap an interesting road or traffic based picture, email it to news@n332.es to be featured or use the hashtag #n332es
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This pictogram can save your life Every year, hundreds drivers in Spain fail the roadside drugs test, oblivious to the dangers they are posing, and often unaware of the fact their driving is impaired. In Spain, around 870 million prescription drugs are issued annually for all diseases, with a cost of around 10 billion euro, and amongst the top 15 best-selling drugs, six have effects which impede the ability to drive safety - among them, medicines such as sodium metmizol (Nolotil) or lorapezam (Orfidal). As part of the celebrations of World Health Day, the DGT launched a campaign in order to raise awareness of the implications for drivers, explaining how, for some years now, medicines in Spain have included a pictogram on the package that warns of possible adverse effects on the ability to drive safely. The information is always included on the information leaflet too, but as many people choose not to read the information, or don´t understand it, the pictogram serves as a warning that is easy to identify. If you are taking medication, check the box for the symbol, and if you see it, don´t drive. The only option is to speak to your doctor or pharmacist to see if an alternative is available, but under no circumstances must you drive.
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Europe´s Worst Drivers Inappropriate speed is one of the main contributing factors that lead to road traffic collisions and other incidents, although it is only a matter of time that these irresponsible drivers are caught, whether doing just 10 kilometres per hour over the limit, or totally pushing the boundaries of common sense, like these European drivers. The fastest driver caught by the police was in Switzerland in April 2011. A Bentley Continental GT was clocked at a staggeringly stupid 324 kilometres per hour. The Swiss authorities punished the driver with a fine of 1,865 euro and six months in prison. In Italy, a Porsche 911 was caught doing 311 kilometres per hour, costing the driver the loss of 10 points and a 357 euro fine. In October 2011, a French driver was stopped by the police driving his Audi RS4 at 310 kilometres per hour in a section with a limited to 110. This driver spent the next year behind bars. In the UK, the driver of a Nissan GTR that was captured by the radars on a Northamptonshire road at 309 kilometres per hour in that section where the maximum speed was 100. The licence was withdrawn and prison loomed for that driver. In Poland, a Porsche Panamera was clocked at 300 kilometres per hour in an area where the maximum permitted speed was 120. That driver received a 1,170 euro fine. These occurrences are becoming increasingly common, with cars getting faster and some drivers becoming more irresponsible and often unaware of the real dangers posed by excessive speed. There is no time to react, respond or deal with situations that the roads can present, however these drivers listed are the lucky ones, having been fined, imprisoned or had their licences withdrawn. There are many more who have faced to biggest penalty of death, but even worse are the innocent victims they have killed by their actions, and the pain of the loss of those left to deal with the aftermath.
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The Visual Field One of the biggest problems caused by driving is that the faster we go, the less we can see, and so, the more dangerous the road ahead becomes. As our brains struggle to process the increasing amount of visual information presented through the eye, the focus window becomes narrower to enable our brain to keep up, but in doing so the images can become very confusing and the picture we think we can see becomes less like the reality surrounding us. We are talking about the kinetic field of vision, or visual field. The visual field is the "spatial array of visual sensations available to observation in introspectionist psychological experiments". The equivalent concept for optical instruments and sensors is the field of view (FOV). When we are driving, when speed increases, the angle of vision from which we perceive objects and people is reduced. For example, at 65 km / h the viewing angle has been reduced to 70 degrees, while at 100 km / h the peripheral vision angle drops to 42 degrees, and at 130 km / h, only 30 degrees, producing the so-called 'tunnel effect'. Between 140 and 150 km / h we reach the so-called 'perceptual cataclysm': the subject loses sharpness in the peripheral vision and, with it, the possibility of correctly evaluating distances and speeds. With a viewing angle of barely 30 degrees, the 'tunnel effect' appears, which prevents any circumstance of danger coming from the external environment on or near the road. In addition, at a faster rate, a lower level of capture and evaluation in the decision processes of the information located in the margins of the field of vision, which constitutes the majority of all road signs and signals relevant to anticipate possible difficulties. If speed is excessive, certain effects of enormous importance for driving take place. The most evident is the increase in the level of activation, with psychophysiological changes that result in the enhancement of fatigue, increased distraction probabilities and the appearance of emotional stress and aggressiveness responses in some subjects, with all their derived effects.
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