Anna Hartz
Spain Cracks Down on Speeders Who Brake Only for Cameras
Anyone who has driven on busy European highways knows the sudden panic when a speed camera appears.
Many drivers slam on the brakes, even if they are only a little over the limit. This habit is so common that it often causes sharp slowdowns, confusion, and sometimes accidents. Spain now wants to put a stop to it, reports Digi24.
200 Euro Fine
The Spanish Traffic Department (DGT) has announced a new system of radars aimed at catching drivers who brake hard before passing a speed camera.
Those caught risk a fine of 200 euros and four penalty points on their license.
Officials say the goal is simple. Too many crashes are caused by speeding and the erratic braking that follows when drivers spot a radar at the last second.
“Anti-Braking” Radars
Spain already has a dense network of surveillance on its roads. There are 780 fixed speed cameras, 545 mobile ones, and 92 stretch radars that measure average speed over longer distances.
To this network the government will add 26 “anti-braking” radars. These will be placed just a few meters before the official cameras to measure sudden drops in speed.
After that come “cascade radars,” installed right after the visible camera, to catch those who accelerate again once they think they are in the clear.
Debated Topic
The plan has already stirred debate. Some Spaniards see it as nothing more than another way to collect money from drivers.
Others shrug and say they will keep doing what they always do, brake at the radar and hope for the best.
A Matter of Safety
The DGT rejects those claims. The agency insists the purpose is safety, not revenue.
Officials point out that abrupt braking and inconsistent driving create real dangers on crowded roads. They argue that steady driving, even if a bit slower, saves lives.
Whether the new radars will change behavior remains to be seen. What is clear is that Spain is tightening its fight against speeding in a way few other European countries have tried so far.
