Spain's DGT launches summer traffic operation expecting 5.6 million trips

DGT Operación Verano 2026 5.6 million trips V-16 beacon traffic surveillance

The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) activated the second special device of the Operación Verano 2026 on 31 July 2026, covering the weekend of 31 July–2 August. The agency forecasts 5.6 million vehicle movements nationwide during this period and a total of 54.5 million long‑distance trips for August.

A mandatory V‑16 beacon must be displayed on all vehicles to signal incidents, and the DGT has deployed extensive surveillance measures, including radars, Pegasus‑equipped helicopters, drones and road‑side cameras. Regional forecasts include 570 000 departures and 250 000 returns in Catalonia, 716 079 long trips in the Valencian Community, 126 000 in Huelva, 151 000 in Cantabria, and more than 155 000 vehicles in Cádiz. The operation also affects airport traffic, with Almería airport planning 83 flights over the three‑day weekend and the Barcelona‑area airports handling a surge of passengers.

Additional measures such as reversible lanes, extra traffic police, and public advice on travel times aim to keep traffic flowing and reduce accidents during the busiest weekend of the summer travel season.

Entities

Alejandro Suárez · Alicante · Alicante Province · Catalan Traffic Service (Servei Català de Trànsit) · Catalonia · Dirección General de Tráfico · Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) · Francisco Toscano · Guadalajara province · Guardia Civil · Operación Verano 2026 · Pegasus (helicopter system)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The DGT forecasts 138,800 vehicle movements in Guadalajara province for the first weekend of August. nuevaalcarria.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Drivers must display a V‑16 beacon to signal road incidents during the summer operation. www.lne.es · nuevaalcarria.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] New drivers must display a V‑13 ‘L’ plate; failure incurs a €100 fine.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Drivers compare Google Maps and Waze for route planning during high‑traffic periods.
[● 5 SOURCES] The DGT forecasts 5.6 million vehicle trips this weekend as part of Operación Verano 2026. inspanje.nl · www.lne.es · nuevaalcarria.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ignoring an S‑13 zebra‑crossing sign incurs a €200 fine. www.lne.es
[● 2 SOURCES] The DGT expects a total of 54.5 million long‑distance trips in August 2026. inspanje.nl
[○ 1 SOURCE] The DGT uses Pegasus helicopters to monitor traffic during Operación Verano 2026. www.lne.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] Novice drivers must display a V‑13 “L” plate; failure incurs a €100 fine.
[● 10 SOURCES] The DGT launched the second special device of Operación Verano 2026 on 31 July 2026. noticiasparamunicipios.com · www.lne.es · salamancartvaldia.es · inspanje.nl · www.diariodecadiz.es · +3 more
[● 4 SOURCES] During the operation, a mandatory V‑16 beacon must be displayed to signal road incidents. www.lne.es · nuevaalcarria.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Pegasus‑equipped helicopters are used for traffic monitoring during the operation. noticiasparamunicipios.com · www.lne.es · inspanje.nl