The Department of Traffic (DGT) has introduced a new system that will enable it to detect foreign drivers who break the speed limit whilst driving on Spanish roads in order to force them to pay the corresponding fine. It has installed the new system on four speed cameras currently in use.

The four speed cameras with the new system are on the following roads: the AP-7 in Castellón, the A-7 in Murcia, the A-31 in Alicante and the A-52 in Zamora. According to a recent study in these areas 30% of cars breaking the speed limit were foreign with this figure rising to 40% during the summer months.

The new radar controls which have been in use for several days now are used to detect vehicles that break the speed limit and are able to discriminate between Spanish and foreign number plates. If the car is foreign then the speed camera sends a photo to the department of traffic in León and another to the nearest civil guard police which will then stop the car and ask the driver to pay the corresponding fine – anything between 100 and 600 euros.

If the driver refuses to pay the civil guard has the power to immobilize the vehicle.

Federico Fernández, the deputy head of DGT explained that given that fines cannot be sent to home addresses abroad there is a concern that drivers infringe driving regulations when abroad more easily. He also pointed out that this system is already in many EU member states.