Episodios

  • Road and Traffic Forecast in Spain – Week Commencing 8 December 2024

    Road and Traffic Forecast in Spain – Week Commencing 8 December 2024
    Dec 8 2024
    This is the N332 Traffic Update for week commencing Sunday 8 December 2024. We are just coming out of the first holiday period of the season, with Constitution Day celebrated on Friday and the religious holiday of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, which means the roads will still be particularly busy in places like shopping and leisure facilities, and towns and cities where holidays are celebrated. Listen Now General Traffic Overview As the second holiday of the period was on Sunday, many locations have moved the holiday to the Monday, but not all. Murcia has, for example, but neighbouring Valencia has not. This is important because, as usual, there will be many people who have visited the coast and mountain areas for the weekend and will then head back inland, but depending on where they are from the return could be either Sunday or Monday, although Sunday is also likely to be the busiest day in that sense. It also means that Monday is a none working day in many places, to the normal flow of traffic will be different to usual. Talking about local holidays, as well as coming out of this weekend, Totana in Murcia celebrates a local holiday on Tuesday, as does Merida in Badajoz, so it is an especially long weekend for them. We will talk about the weather shortly, but that too has to be taken into consideration before setting off and during the journey, and we have seen snow in places already. If you are of a superstitious nature, we have Friday the 13th this week, and a full moon on Sunday 15th, which is one of those times when everyone needs to be a little more alert! Special Traffic Operations There are no special traffic operations this week, but looking ahead, next week, Roadpol, the European Traffic Police Network, are coordinating their Europe-wide campaign focusing on alcohol and drugs, a problem throughout the year but more so during the festive season. Remember, the only safe level of alcohol is zero. Next year, in Spain, we will see the permitted alcohol level reduced, and it is already lower than some countries, the UK for example, but it will effectively mandate zero alcohol consumption before driving. Upcoming Driving in Spain Information Amongst the articles we will be publishing on the N332 website this week, n332.es, on Tuesday we will be talking about carrying items outside the vehicle. Last week, we talked about keeping things secure inside, including the explanation as to why you can be fined for carrying your shopping on the back seat of the car. This week we move outside, most commonly referring to things like carrying bikes at the back, and the restrictions on width, but there are also restrictions relating to carrying things on the roof. This is important at this time of year because of carrying more than usual, like gifts, for example, or even perhaps the Christmas tree. Later in the week, we do focus our attention on alcohol, both looking at the dangers, and the changes, including the reduction in the maximum permitted limit set to be introduced in Spain in 2025. Remember though, and we cannot stress this enough, the only safe limit is zero. The Weather Finally, let us take a quick look at the weather for the week, with information from the Spanish Met Office, Aemet, and, as mentioned, we have already seen snow in places, so it is important you check the weather conditions before you set off. On the Aemet website, there is a page dedicated to driving which shows the road conditions, it is called MeteoRuta if you want to search for it. You should also check the DGT traffic map for other restrictions and other problems, always referring to the official information. It is important to note that if you see a blue circular sign on your journey with a pictogram of a wheel with show chains on, then snow chains are mandatory on your wheels from that point on. If you don´t have snow chains, you must not proceed. Winter tyres, if approved, are okay.
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    8 m
  • Phase Two of the Easter Traffic Operation Underway

    Phase Two of the Easter Traffic Operation Underway
    Mar 27 2024
    Due to Easter holidays, there's an increase in traffic volume with expected congestion during specific "unfavourable hours" throughout the week. You should prepare by planning ahead and avoiding peak times. Traffic planning measures will be implemented to alleviate jams, especially at urban exits and returns. Check official websites for live updates on traffic, weather, and flights. Remember to avoid the busiest hours.
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    6 m
  • Traffic Police to Focus on Trucks and Buses This Week

    Traffic Police to Focus on Trucks and Buses This Week
    Feb 17 2024
    This week, ROADPOL, the European traffic police network, are holding a focussed campaign on vans, trucks and buses, checking everything from vehicle standards and compliance, and driver and documentation. The campaign runs all week and through Sunday 25 February 2024, and will be taking place in most European countries. In Spain, the DGT are supporting this campaign and so the Guardia Civil, assisted by Local Police in areas where they are taking part, will also be checking on these types of vehicles. There is also still the possibility of protests causing disruption on the roads, and so you should consult the official information from the DGT which is updated live on their website. We also still have the risk of snow on higher and mountainous areas, and so snow chains could be required, again, check before you travel. Official Websites for Travel Information For live traffic reports, visit the DGT traffic map For weather warnings, consult AEMET For flight information, check the AENA airport operator's website
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    2 m
  • Weekend Roads and Flight Bulletin – Friday 26 January 2024

    Weekend Roads and Flight Bulletin – Friday 26 January 2024
    Jan 26 2024
    On the roads of Spain, coinciding with the weekends of the winter months, an increase in traffic is expected on the main routes, national roads, and motorways towards rest areas, second homes and mountain areas for practicing winter sports. FRIDAY Movements out of large urban centres and increased circulation on the main communication routes towards rest areas, second homes and mountain areas, the least favourable time being between 7 and 9 p.m. SATURDAY Travel out of large urban centres, many of which will be short trips to recreation and leisure areas close to large towns, as well as increased circulation on the main communication routes to rest areas, second homes and mountain areas, the busiest times being between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. SUNDAY Movements in the entrance direction to the large urban centres along the main communication road axes that channel the entire return movement, in particular on motorways, as well as along the access roads to areas of mountain with winter sports practice, at an unfavourable time between 6 and 10 p.m. If you are going to the mountains, remember to take snow chains (click this link to browse snow chains on Amazon). Winter tyres are also permitted, but if you come across a blue circular sign showing snow chains, it is obligatory to have them fitted on your wheels before passing the sign. You are not permitted further without having them installed. It is both dangerous, and illegal. Flight Update Once again, it’s not going to be a great day for flying, although still better than earlier in the week, with around 24,700 flights expected, the day starts with a risk of low visibility during morning hours for Spain, southern France and northern Italy, with flights made worse by moderate to strong winds stretching from the British Isles to Benelux and Germany. Oh, and for good measure, snow forecast for Norway and Sweden. Heathrow is once again highlighted as a potential problem, with strong winds, particularly in the morning, likely to cause moderate disruption. We also have industrial action continuing today in Lanzarote. There are still Air Traffic Control staffing issues in some UK towers too, as has been the case for some time now, with no real resolution in sight. And, because why not on a Friday, the equipment testing resumes at Paris Air Traffic Control Centre, affecting the air space across the north of the country, resulting in anticipated delays, and on some occasions, those delays could be severe. Weekend Weather Across Europe today we have high pressure forecast over the south of the continent and ridging into central Europe. As mentioned in the flight briefing, risk of low visibility during the morning hours for Spain, southern France and northern Italy. Low Pressure over Scandinavia with associated frontal activity bringing unsettled conditions, moderate to strong winds stretching from the British Isles to Benelux and Germany. Forecasted snow for Norway and Sweden. Weak low pressure over southeast Europe, mostly affecting Cyprus and Israel. Locally, on the Costa Blanca, for the next 10 days will see the maximum temperature start to dip again from today, leading to a low a week on Wednesday of 11°c. The windiest day is expected to see wind of up to 30 kmph on Friday next week. Live Updates For live traffic reports, visit the DGT traffic map For weather warnings, consult AEMET
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    4 m
  • Roads and Flights Forecast – Monday 22 January 2023

    Roads and Flights Forecast – Monday 22 January 2023
    Jan 22 2024
    On the roads of Spain there´s nothing significant planned but remember that if you are venturing into the mountain areas, which in some cases might be less than an hour from the sunny coast, snow chains should be a consideration to avoid getting stranded. If you come across a blue circular sign with a pictogram of snow chains you must not proceed without having them fitted on your vehicle, unless you have winter tyres, a specific type of tyre designed for winter driving. If you are in doubt, chances are you do NOT have winter tyres, so snow chains would be mandatory. All this week, the Guardia Civil, and some Local Police forces, will be checking up on school buses, making sure they are roadworthy, documents up to date, and drivers are competent. It’s all routine, but if you do see the Guardia Civil near a school bus, don’t panic, that’s what is happening. In the air, with some 23.200 flights scheduled across Europe, the weather is once again expected to have an impact, but this time in the form of wind. Low pressure caused by storm Isha will bring strong winds to the UK, northern France, Benelux, northern Germany and Scandinavia. A significant impact is expected in the south of the UK, particularly London, with strong cross winds at most airports, with the increased probability of both bumpy landings and go-arounds. Scottish airports are also expected to remain a little rough into Monday. Weather in Spain There are still weather warnings in place in various locations, and the conditions are mixed across the country, so you should check the official sites for the must current weather updates where you are (links below). As an overview locally to the Costa Blanca for the next 10 days, will are currently expected to have a maximum temperature of 21°c this coming Thursday, warming up again after the minimum expected today of 10°c. Today is also expected to be the windiest with gusts of up to 25 kmph. Click here to visit AEMET for weather alerts and forecasts. Click here to visit the DGT for live traffic and road conditions. Get Daily Updates The audio version of this travel bulletin is part of Spain Today, a daily update from Mark Nolan´s Podcast that brings together Spanish news in English, things to do in the Torrevieja area, Spanish history with On This Day, and important updates each weekday. You can follow the podcast on your favourite platform, just search for Mark Nolan´s Podcast, or listen and read the daily update on the website, marknolanspodcast.com, where you can find instructions on how to listen on platforms like Amazon Music, Audible. Spotify, TuneIn, and receive the daily bulletin as part of your Alexa Flash Briefing. https://youtu.be/Q2-PEkBbNvA
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    2 m
  • Five Arrested in Fake Licence Scam

    Five Arrested in Fake Licence Scam
    Mar 15 2019
    Officers from the National Police have arrested four people for being part of a group who would help people obtain a driving licence by fraudulent means. The officers also charged a fifth person as alleged perpetrators of criminal offences including the disclosure of secrets, document forgery and crimes against the State Administration. The arrests were made in Palma de Mallorca, following an investigation into the group who would assist foreign citizens who couldn´t understand Spanish in passing their theoretical test. The group would use technical and electrical devices to achieve this. The investigators discovered that the examinees entered the examination room with a mobile phone camera, hidden under their clothes and with the camera at an angle to view the exam, so that another person located in the exterior of the Provincial Traffic Headquarters and expert in traffic matters, answered the questions through a headset. After analysing all the data obtained, the officers arrested an examiner in situ at the time of the test and the expert who was reporting the answers. In addition, they detained two other people, the person in charge and another who was in charge of looking for people with problems in the comprehension and reading of Spanish, for which they would charge between 1,500 and 3,000 euro for the privilege. So far, the detainees were all of Indian origin, but the officers then arrested a 61-year-old Spaniard whose job was to help them to pass the practical examination. With the five people already charged, the operation remains open and new arrests are not ruled out. https://n332.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/carné-conducir-palma-editado.mp4
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