Variable speed system for main roads planned

Main road network in Spain

SPAIN (Agencies) The Government is planning to install a variable speed system on the country's main roads (autopistas and autovías), which is scheduled for parliamentary approval 'in the second half of the year', according to the Minister of the Interior, Jorge Fernández Díaz. Another part of the same proposal is that the speed limit on secondary roads be reduced from 100 kph to 90. Speed on the main roads will be controlled by electronic panels, depending on weather and road conditions. Referring to the reduction of speed limits on secondary roads, Fernández Díaz said that 80% of all road accidents happen on these roads and "there is a direct cause-effect between the speed limit and the accident rate." He added that the Government was also trying to meet European values but did not say whether the speed limit on main roads would therefore be raised to 130 kph, a measure that is under analysis. The Minister reminded the press that the Government had begun a campaign against drug-driving. It is calculated that about 19% of drivers do so under the influence of drugs, which, he said, produces a "terrifying" impact on the accident rate.