Spain's foreign motorists targetted

The DGT Spanish traffic authority has announced that it is to implement a new system to fine foreign drivers who exceed the speed limit. Previously many drivers in foreign number-plated cars escaped any such fines.

This new system has been installed on four speed traps on routes which are used frequently by foreign drivers – the AP-7 in Castellón, the A7 in Murcia, the A-31 in Alicante and the A-52 in Zamora.

It is beleived that the cameras have been adapted to specifically recognise foreign number plates, some have been operational since the start of the summer, and the rest will be modified this week.

When the speed trap detects a foreign number plate breaking the speed limit a photograph is taken and then related to the DGT centre in León where such fines are processed. At the same time local Trafico agents in the area receive an automated message with details of the infraction so that they can personally inform the driver of the vehicle.

The Deputy Director of the DGT, Federico Fernández, states that it has been shown that between 30% and 40% of the speeding vehicles over the summer months have foreign number plates.

The news comes amid a debate in the media in Spain as to whether traffic fines are effective in saving lives, or a just another way for the Government to raise funds.