BBC misinforms about Gibraltar queues

Click to enlarge

GIBRALTAR This photograph, by the AFP agency (Agence France Press), appeared on the BBCNews (Europe) online page on August 14. Taken, we understand, from the top of the Asur Hotel Campo de Gibraltar, on Avenida Príncipe de Asturias, it purports to show the long line of cars headed for the border. But the long queue shown here includes -and should not- parked cars and a queue that does not cross the frontier (the drop-off queue). While the picture does show a long queue, this can be normal on a busy working day, or on a Spanish holiday. You will also notice the following: 'To ignorant BBC headline writers: GIBRALTAR IS NOT AN ISLAND, it is a peninsula.' This is because we have seen and heard it referred to as an island all too often by the BBC, which should know better. (By the way, the Rock is not so much in the headlines lately, is it? Have the 'inspections' come down at all?)

N-340 accident on Sunday: van driver in prison

Guardia direct traffic at the
scene of Sunday's accident

TARIFA There was a horrible accident last Sunday at the crossing to Tarifa off the N-340 (See Two bikers die in head-on crash...). The driver of the van involved is in prison, according to sources at the Guardia Civil, who confirmed that he had been arrested at the scene, and is likely to be charged with involuntary manslaughter and/or other serious traffic infractions. The van was carrying three people, the other two of whom were not injured seriously. Another motorbike was involved, carrying a man of 50 and a woman of 47, who were injured and taken to the Punta de Europa Hospital in Algeciras, and have now been released.

Two bikers die in head-on crash on the N-340, four injured on A-7

(Photo: europasur.es)

ALGECIRAS / TARIFA A man and a woman riding the same motorbike died in a head-on collision with a van yesterday, Sunday, morning. The accident happened at the first of the crossings to Tarifa off the N-340 (see our earlier item A-7 and N-340 Among Spain's Most Dangerous Roads). Another bike was involved one of its occupants is in hospital with serious injuries, another came away with only slight injuries. The dead riders were heading towards Cádiz when they hit the van, apparently at great speed. These two raise the number of fatal accidents in the Campo to four so far this year, when the summer season, which accounts for many of them, has yet to get under way. In a separate incident, four people were injured in a variety of seriousness on the A-7 yesterday afternoon, in an accident that involved three vehicles on the Algeciras by-pass, close to the entrance to the La Menacha industrial estate. Two women aged 40, another aged 28 and a man of 27 were taken to the Punta de Europa Hospital.

A-7 and N-340 among Spain's most dangerous roads, says new report

SPAIN A report by the Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia (RACC in its Spanish acronym) says that the Ministry of Development's budget for road maintenance has been reduced by 38% since 2009. The same report says that if the investment were doubled, the social cost of accidents would drop by 20%. The maths are simple: present investment is €31,662 per kilometre, almost half of that social cost, which averages €64,182/km. The RACC has published a roadmap of the social costs that applies cost-benefit formulae, which is applied for similar studies in Germany, among other countries. Social costs are>>>

More on Jimena entrance roadworks: there are idiots all over the place...

JIMENA Walking down to the office this morning, we came across two men working on the newly concreted bit of road under repair. They were mumbling about idiot drivers. Fortunately we understand Spanish mumbling: someone had driven over the fresh cement last night, having first removed the barrier at the top of the road. They had driven down onto the fresh concrete, where they stopped, creating a track mark into the concrete that will take a day or two to be set right. By the time we got back with a camera, he man in the photograph had already patched up one of the idiot's tracks, and he was complaining that whatever he did, it would always be a patch. At least he cared! We were also told that there was going to be a speed bump right there where he's working, which might just stop a few of the idiot drivers around. (Another photo below)>>>

50,000 motorbikes expected at Jerez today

Winner Marc Márquez doing his thing

JEREZ The Guardia Civil Traffic division is launching a campaign that will last until Sunday evening aimed at controlling some fifty thousand visiting bikers turning up for the first round of the European Spanish MotoGP to be held over the weekend at what is called La Catedral of motorbike racing. If you are on the roads in the area (or just about anywhere else in the country) be careful: most bike riders at this time of year think they are Marc Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo or Dani Pedrosa. These three Spanish riders have won all six races so far across the three classes, so there is plenty to get excited about for the home crowd, which could be massive, says BBC Sport/MotoGP, which adds in large type: Their football teams may be having a bad time of it right now, but sport fans in Spain can at least get ready for a celebration this weekend when the first European MotoGP round of the season takes place in Jerez. 

Update on A-405 accident: several involved were from Jimena

CASTELLAR/SAN ROQUE (Previous item) Three vehicles were involved in the fatal accident that happened on Monday evening on the A-405 almost exactly on the boundary between Castellar and San Roque, a Ford Mondeo, a Ford Transit van and a peugeot 306. The woman who died driving the Mondeo was from Estación de Jimena, and identified with the initials M.D.Z.R. The driver of the van, Elena V., also from Jimena (she runs the plant nursery in San Pablo, was seriously injured, though less seriously than at first thought. Apparently, these two vehicles ran into each other on one side of the duel carriageway, towards Castellar and the van was projected some 50m from the place of impact. The third car, the Peugeot, came onto the accident but was unable to avoid it.>>>

No more Big Dipper, no more Hole in the Road!

JIMENA As we were watching the goings-on at the benefit do for Carmen Infantes last night (photos and commentary coming up), we got the word from Mayor Guillermo Ruiz that the entrance to Jimena was now open. Considering that we haven't seen anyone working on it, we're quite prepared to believe in miracles. Just in case you don't believe us, below are some more photos of the facts.

Blue zone in Tarifa

(Photo: europasur.es/Erasmo Fenoy)

TARIFA Residents and frequent visitors to the resort town will be aware by now that the municipal authorities have established several new regulations regarding the Blue Zone area (Avenida de Andalucía, Avda. de la Constitución, Fuerzas Armadas, Juan Núñez, Sancho IV el Bravo and María Coronel). Parking in this area, which requires a ticket from a meter, has a maximum time limit of two hours from 9.30am to 2pm and 4.30 to 8pm from Monday to Fridays. Saturday hours are from 9.30 to 2pm. The rest of the time, Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays, parking is free. Fines for over-staying range from €30 to €100. Local protests include the fact that you have to pay for the full two hours no matter how long you park within that time. However, residents of those streets can apply for a resident's permit at the Town Hall. This is valid for one year and must be renewed after that.

Jimena entrance road to get emergency repairs

(Photo: europasur.es)

JIMENA Anyone driving up the hill into the main village will have noticed a dip in the road that seems to get worse every day. The Council announced this morning that emergency repairs will be getting under way very soon and the road is likely to be closed while work is being done. In the meantime, there is now a weight restriction of 5 tons on that section of road. Entrance to the village is now by the 'middle road' or by the campsite. Regular line buses and school buses can no longer use this stretch, which is only about 50 metres from the A-405 crossroad, so passengers and students have to disembark at the bottom of the road, right by the old silo and the new Local Police station. The cause:>>>

Reader denounces embargo of €97.53 from his bank account without receiving any notification

JIMENA A reader of CampoPulse who wishes to remain anonymous came to us a couple of weeks ago with a piece of paper (image) that explained the reason an amount of €97.53 was removed from his bank account without his knowledge or permission. It was apparently for a minor traffic offence in August 2011(!). The money was taken out of his account, via an embargo, on December 31, 2012, but, although he had been away from his home in Spain for about the six months prior to that date, he had never received any kind of notification, either about the fine or about the embargo for the amount, plus charges. His mail was picked up and forwarded weekly during the time he was away. He wonders if this is legal, so we went to find out.>>>

Jimena - Puerto Galis road gets emergency repair funds

Provincial Infrastructure head
Eduardo Párraga and
Jimena Mayor Guillermo Ruiz

JIMENA The CA-8201 road between Jimena and Puerto Galis is to get repaired thanks to some €83.600 from the provincial authorities, which is part of emergency funds of €229,500 being made available for a total of three roads that have suffered extensive damage with the recent heavy rain storms. There are some seven secondary roads in the province that remain closed after the storms, and Diputación (the provincial authority) has calculated that damage to roads in the province so far amounts to four million euros.

Have you been fined for speeding on the A-405 road, near Castellar?

The area in question

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR We have had a number of enquiries about speeding fines on the A-405 road (the A-369 on GoogleMaps, which is about 3 years late), from Jimena to Taraguilla, particularly between the turnoff to Sotogrande International School, passing by the entrance to Castellar cemetery and the entrance to Castellar Nuevo. These fines are particularly heavy - ranging from €150 to €400 - because, we believe, that heading for the coast, there is a section with a maximum of 50kph that includes a very straight part (passing by a plant nursery), which then turns into 70kph before a sharp bend. Curiously, on the other side of that same section, heading to Jimena, the speed limit is 70 kph, which leads not only to confusion but might also be a mistake (fallen speed sign, perhaps?). If you have had a fine there, please let us know, so we can make enquiries with the powers that be... (no promises!)

New draft laws on speed limits, radar detectors, seat belts and children in cars

(Illustration only)

SPAIN Further to our item about the Government's plans to up the top speed limit to 130 kph, there are several changes that we didn't have time to write about. These include speed limits on secondary roads, (which are puzzlingly related to the road width - see below for details), as well as a total ban on radar detectors, new rules on seat-belt use and new restrictions on children in cars. As for radar detectors, the last government (PSOE) banned the use of radar inhibitors, appliances that interfered with radar signals from speed detectors so that the traps couldn't capture speeding vehicles. But the door was left open for car-mounted radar detectors that warn drivers of a nearby speed traps. That door is now closed.>>>

Landslides on CA-8201 (Jimena - Puerto Gális) close road

JIMENA / Puerto Gális The 'back' road from Jimena, the CA-8201, to Puerto Gális (and on to Ubrique or the coast) was closed yesterday because two separate landslides had eaten it away as a result of the weather - yet again. This is not the first time this road has been closed for the same reason: it remained closed for several weeks in the winter of 2010. The need for proper repairs, and even a new road, is evident. (See more photos on TioJimeno.)

Tráfico to allow 130kph on motorways but limit to 50kph on some secondary roads

Radar detectors to be forbidden · Taxi drivers to use belts and all kids in back seat · And more

MADRID The traffic authorities (DGT, Dirección General de Tráfico) has thoroughly revised some of its regulations, according to a draft bill presented earlier this week. These include raising speed limits from 120 kph to 130 on some sections of motorways and toll roads, as well as lowering limits in some city areas and secondary roads. Limits on conventional roads such as dual carriageways and other secondary roads will be reduced variously to 90kph, 70kph or even 50, depending on the width of the road. (A more detailed article will soon be available on SpainInformer.com - but we will be expanding this one on Wednesday, so WATCH THIS SPACE!)

Traffic fines can no longer be paid in cash at DGT centres

MADRID As from today, traffic fines can no longer be paid in cash, within the voluntary (i.e. discount) period, at any provincial or local Jefatura (i.e. Direción General de Tráfico) offices. The fines can be paid by credit or debit card, however. The Ministry of the Interior reminds us that you can still pay through the website as well as in cash at Banco de Santander branches throughout the country, or at post offices (Correos). It is also possible to call 060 to obtain information and to pay with your card. (See out January article: How to pay traffic fines)

How to pay traffic fines

Illustration only

SPAIN Traffic fines in Spain are among the highest in Europe. However, they are quite easy to pay. They can be contested but that is not the purpose of this article (a separate one is coming up), though in this case we advise seeking professional help at an asesoría, gestoría (the same thing) or through an attorney. Your fine will come through the mail, often accompanied by a photo of your vehicle and much statement about where and when the infringement took place. The notification will also carry information about how and where to pay it but very often it is illegible because of bad photocopying and small print. (A more detailed article on this subject will soon be available at SpainInformer.com)

How to pay traffic fines

SPAIN Traffic fines in Spain are among the highest in Europe. However, they are quite easy to pay. They can be contested but that is not the purpose of this article (a separate one is coming up), though in this case we advise seeking professional help at an asesoría, gestoría (the same thing) or through an attorney. Your fine will come through the mail, often accompanied by a photo of your vehicle and a statement about where and when the infringement took place. The notification will also carry information about how and where to pay it but very often it is illegible because of bad photocopying and small print. (A more detailed article on this subject will soon be available at SpainInformer.com) UPDATE: As from March 4, traffic fines can no longer be paid in cash, within the voluntary (i.e. discount) period, at any provincial or local Jefatura (i.e. Direción General de Tráfico) offices. The fines can be paid by credit or debit card, however. The Ministry of the Interior reminds us that you can still pay through the website as well as in cash at Banco de Santander branches throughout the country, or at post offices (Correos).

Strap yourself in, and your loved ones, too

CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR (Press releases) Several local police forces in the Campo area are currently carrying out campaigns to ensure the correct use of seat belts by drivers and passengers, and children's safety seats are properly installed. Roadside checkpoints will be set up at random for the purpose. All of these are part of the directives issued by the Dirección General de Tráfico, whose Guardia Civil units will be doing much the same, similarly to their breathalyser controls and those checking vehicles' documents. It's as well to remember that under the law established by Royal Decree 339/1990, infractions to these measures can mean fines of €200 and the loss of 3 points on your licence. Later decrees say that adult back seat passengers must also wear seat belts, and that the size and effectiveness of child safety seats must be used according to height and weight of the child.