Spain's DGT launches Operación Verano 2026, forecasting 12.5 million trips in Castilla y León

The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) activated the first special phase of Operación Verano 2026 on 3 July, part of a nationwide plan that anticipates around 104 million long‑distance journeys across Spain through 31 August. In Castilla y León alone, the DGT expects 12.5 million trips during the summer, with roughly 520 000 scheduled for the opening weekend (3–5 July). The operation includes reinforced traffic monitoring, mobile radars, aerial patrols and a mandatory V‑16 warning beacon for any vehicle stopped on the road; fines range from €80 to €200 for non‑compliance. A dedicated extraordinary device will manage the surge of traffic linked to the total solar eclipse on 12 August, for which Castilla y León is a prime viewing region. The DGT also coordinates with other agencies to oversee the “Paso del Estrecho” and “Paso a Portugal” movements, involving more than 31 500 personnel and extensive road‑side infrastructure. The overall aim is to ensure safety, reduce accidents – which claimed 32 lives in the region last summer – and maintain fluid mobility during the peak holiday period.