dgt new signal s 991g drones canary islands

DGT’s new S-991g signal: what it means for drivers

New road signal warns drivers of aerial speed checks

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is responsible for keeping drivers in the Canary Islands and the rest of Spain safe on the roads. To do this, it carries out surveillance campaigns at different times of the year, introduces new signs, or modifies existing ones to keep up with changing mobility. It is essential to understand the meaning of the new S-991g signal, as it plays a very important role on the roads.

What does the S-991g signal mean?

“Drones are used to detect reckless driving and to monitor traffic on sections of road with a high risk of accidents, especially those with a high volume of vulnerable users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians,” explains the DGT.

According to the General Traffic Regulations, this sign “indicates the possible presence of aerial speed checks, such as helicopters or drones, on that stretch of road. If such checks are aimed at a specific type of vehicle, only that vehicle’s pictogram may be shown.”

The S-991g is a rectangular yellow sign, featuring a helicopter, a drone, a car, a lorry, and a motorbike, alongside a radar symbol. It may also indicate the kilometres over which the DGT’s aerial units are active.

How do the DGT’s helicopters and drones catch offenders?

The process used by helicopters and radar to catch rule-breakers on Spanish roads is as follows:

Aboard the helicopter are a pilot and a camera and radar operator. The aircraft is equipped with two high-definition cameras and a radar. Dangerous behaviour is identified, and evidence such as the vehicle’s position and speed is collected. This information is sent in real time to traffic control centres. The helicopter then lands, the recordings are downloaded, and the penalty is processed and sent to the driver.

Drone deployment across Spain and the Canary Islands

“Each DGT helicopter unit based in A Coruña, Zaragoza, Valladolid, Seville, Málaga and Valencia will have two drones to carry out missions in their local area and surrounding regions (neighbouring communities). The central base in Madrid will have 15 aircraft, which, in addition to flying over roads in the Community of Madrid and Castilla-La Mancha, will provide support to other provinces across the country. Meanwhile, Cantabria, Asturias and Extremadura will have two drones per zone, and the island regions of the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands will have three units each,” the DGT confirms.

Penalties for common driving offences

Speeding: depending on the speed, fines range from €100 to €600, plus the loss of 2 to 6 licence points.
Using a mobile phone while driving: a €200 fine and a loss of six points.
Not wearing a seatbelt: this carries a €200 fine and the loss of four points from your licence.
Throwing objects out of the window: this is considered a very serious offence, punishable by a €500 fine and the loss of six points.
Dangerous overtaking: these manoeuvres can lead to fines of €200 and a loss of up to four points.

Other new road safety measures

The DGT continues to introduce regulatory changes to improve road safety across Spain. Among the latest developments are the requirement for motorcyclists to wear full-face or modular helmets and approved gloves on interurban roads. Another measure has been the removal of the extra 20 km/h allowance for overtaking on conventional roads. Officers have also reminded drivers that, on interurban roads, vehicles must always stay in the right-hand lane, using the other lanes only for overtaking.

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