Spain rolls out new high‑speed radars, sparking traffic delays in Vigo and expanding coverage in Navarra

A new speed‑monitoring radar at the Beiramar tunnel entrance in Vigo was taken offline for calibration on Tuesday, forcing the tunnel to close from 09:30 to 12:30. The shutdown caused long vehicle queues, with cars and trucks stuck for up to 50 minutes and drivers reporting a lack of advance signage. Officials said the closure was necessary to certify the new cinemometer before it becomes operational, likely by mid‑May, and will give the tunnel three active radars.

Meanwhile, the autonomous community of Navarra has brought two long‑section speed radars into service. The first spans more than 30 km on the AP‑68 between Cortes and Tudela, and a second covers about 14 km on the N‑121‑A near the Belate and Almandoz tunnels. The devices calculate average speed over the entire stretch and automatically issue fines ranging from €100 to €600. The deployments follow a pattern of expanding average‑speed enforcement across Spanish highways, with 149 such radars now in operation nationwide.

Both initiatives reflect a broader push by Spanish authorities to modernise speed‑control infrastructure, improve road safety, and increase revenue from traffic fines.