Canary Islands Speeding Fines Surge as DGT Cracks Down on Illegal Radar Equipment

Road safety in the Canary Islands is currently a major concern, with a sharp rise in speeding violations. According to the latest data from the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), there were 113,942 speeding fines issued in the islands during 2024—a 10.1% increase from the previous year. This confirms that speeding remains the biggest risk factor on the region's roads.

Spanish traffic law makes a clear distinction between helpful driving tools and illegal equipment. Navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze, which use public data to warn drivers of fixed speed cameras, are perfectly legal. However, using devices designed to detect or jam police radar is strictly prohibited.

Under Article 13.6 of the Traffic Law, simply possessing equipment meant to interfere with police surveillance carries heavy penalties. Using a radar jammer—a device that blocks speed cameras—can result in a fine of up to 6,000 euros and the loss of 6 license points. Crucially, these penalties apply not only to the driver but also to the technician who installs the equipment. Radar detectors, which only alert drivers to the presence of a speed trap, carry a 500-euro fine and the loss of 3 points.

Beyond the use of illegal technology, standard speeding fines range from 100 to 600 euros, with 2 to 6 points deducted from a driver's license. The DGT also warns that extreme speeding can lead to criminal charges. This applies if a driver exceeds the speed limit by 60 km/h in urban areas or 80 km/h on interurban roads. On highways with limits below 100 km/h, criminal penalties apply if a driver exceeds the limit by more than 80 km/h.

In response, the Civil Guard and the DGT are continuing their intensive traffic enforcement campaigns. Their message to drivers in Tenerife and across the archipelago is simple: the only way to avoid fines and stay safe is to follow the speed limits at all times.