The DGT has installed a mobile trailer radar at kilometre 45 of the A-1, between Pedrezuela and El Molar, to monitor speed in a construction zone limited to 100 km/h. The device can change location and operates autonomously.
Drivers using the A-1 in the northern part of the Community of Madrid are facing a new speed control from this week. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has activated a mobile trailer radar at kilometre 45 of this motorway, between the towns of Pedrezuela and El Molar, right in a section where maintenance works are being carried out.
The device, which has already been spotted by several drivers, is part of the DGT's strategy to strengthen surveillance in construction areas, where workplace accidents are a constant concern. According to sources from the agency, the radar does not require a fixed installation and can be quickly relocated to other points on the road network.
The speed camera is mounted on a small trailer and operates autonomously thanks to a battery with several days of autonomy. The fines are generated and sent electronically, without the need for Civil Guard officers to be present alongside the device. This allows the radar to operate 24 hours a day.
The speed limit in this section of the A-1 is 100 kilometres per hour due to the ongoing works on the road. The DGT has reminded that the main objective of these radars is to protect the workers carrying out their tasks at the construction sites, as many drivers tend to exceed the temporary speed limits.
For the thousands of residents in municipalities such as Alcobendas, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Tres Cantos, Colmenar Viejo or towns in the Sierra Norte, the A-1 is a vital artery for their daily commutes. The presence of this new radar, which can change location without prior notice, aims to deter speeding in a particularly sensitive environment.
The DGT has explained that this type of mobile radar is an effective tool because its location is not fixed, making it difficult for drivers to know in advance where they are situated. Additionally, as they do not require permanent installation, they can be quickly deployed at any point on the road network where necessary.
This measure comes in the middle of summer, a time when traffic on the A-1 usually increases due to holiday travel towards northern Spain. The combination of a higher volume of vehicles and roadworks raises the risk of accidents, which is why the DGT has prioritised surveillance in this section.
Drivers caught by the radar exceeding the 100 km/h limit will face fines ranging from 100 to 600 euros, depending on the speed excess, as well as the possible loss of points from their driving licence. The DGT recommends exercising extreme caution and respecting temporary signage at all times.
This new system adds to other mobile radars that the DGT has deployed in the Community of Madrid, both on motorways and secondary roads. The state agency has announced that more devices of this type will be installed in other roads in the region over the coming months, especially in areas where works are being carried out.
For residents in the north of Madrid, the recommendation is clear: maintain the appropriate speed and be attentive to the signage, as the radar's location may vary. The DGT insists that the goal is not to generate revenue, but to save lives and protect construction workers.
