Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, is rolling out a big change on its roads. They are quietly making 100 kilometers per hour the new speed limit on many highways and expressways. The interesting part? The official Highway Code has not changed a bit.
This new speed rule first appeared in small spots known for accidents or high risks. Now, it is spreading. Drivers across Spain will find themselves going 20 km/h slower than the old 120 km/h limit. It is a shift happening without much fanfare.
Why the change? It lines up with what the United Nations recommends for safer roads. A report titled “Recommended Measures to Improve Road Infrastructure Safety” supports this move. It argues that setting lower speed limits is one of the best ways to stop accidents from happening. For expressways, the report suggests a top speed of 100 km/h.
Smart Tech Helps Manage Speed
Technology plays a key role in this quiet transformation. Take the AP-7 highway in Catalonia, for example. Here, the speed limits are dynamic, meaning they can change. Smart systems using artificial intelligence adjust the maximum speed in real time. They look at things like weather, how much traffic there is, or what the road surface is like. Usually, the speed defaults to 100 km/h.
Other regions are adopting these new limits too. In Galicia, the AG-55 highway has permanently lowered its speed on certain parts. This is especially true for steep inclines or areas where average speed cameras watch drivers.
In Gipuzkoa, a regional group called Bidegi announced that six more sections of the AP-8 highway will also get the 100 km/h limit. Their goal is to make busy areas safer and easier to navigate for drivers. It seems clear that this approach will keep spreading. The 100 km/h limit is quickly becoming the new normal for many Spanish roads. This is happening even as the official law still allows for 120 km/h.