UK drivers in Spain are being warned to look out for new road markings introduced by Spain’s Directorate General of Roads (DGT) to improve road safety – a solid red line.
The red lines complement the traditional white lines and are designed to reduce accidents in high-risk areas by tightening the ban on overtaking vehicles on key sections of the road.
This bright colour is intended to serve as an additional warning, attracting the attention of drivers in areas where overtaking is strictly prohibited. According to the Mallorca Daily Gazette, the introduction of the new markings is the result of a thorough analysis of accident rates on traditional roads where the most serious accidents occur.
British tourists planning to visit Spain in the near future should be aware that the pilot project is already being implemented in various locations across Spain, with locations chosen based on research into driver behaviour and accident statistics. For example, a 26-mile stretch of the A-355 in the Malaga Coin area (near Marbella) has been given new signage.
The stretch of road, known as the ‘Highway of Death’, has seen 10 deaths in the past 12 months. Despite previous attempts to improve safety, including retrofitting barriers and additional signs, crashes have been common since the A355 opened to traffic a decade ago.
The road was originally designed to handle 7,000 vehicles a day, but now carries almost three times that number, the majority of which are heavy-duty vehicles.
According to Spanish Express, the new red lines in Spain, which are equivalent to the double solid white lines in the UK, also mean that overtaking is prohibited, especially on roads with blind bends or on hills where such a manoeuvre could be dangerous.
Under section 128 of the Highway Code, if the solid line closest to you is broken, you can overtake if it is safe to do so, and you can complete the overtaking before you reach the solid line on your side. The Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE) reiterated that breaking the overtaking ban, regardless of the colour of the solid line, could result in a fine of up to €400 (£340) and four points being deducted from your licence.
The fine provision is contained in the General Road Traffic Regulations and applies to both white lines and the new red lines. The introduction of the red line is part of a wider strategy to improve road safety, which includes various additional measures such as installing new radars on road sections, stepping up awareness campaigns and increasing the number of police officers on secondary roads.
Post time: Apr-01-2025