DGT Expands Aerial Surveillance With New Roadside Drone Warning Signs
The Spanish Directorate-General for Traffic has introduced new "S-991g" road signs to warn drivers of increased aerial surveillance by drones and helicopters aimed at improving road safety.
The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has stepped up its aerial surveillance by introducing new "S-991g" road signs. These rectangular, yellow signs warn drivers that drones or helicopters may be monitoring traffic in high-accident areas. Some signs may also feature specific icons if the surveillance is targeting certain types of vehicles.
These aerial patrols are part of a strategy to protect vulnerable road users, including cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. The DGT has distributed its drone fleet across the country to cover key regions: Madrid serves as the main hub with 15 drones, while bases in A Coruña, Zaragoza, Valladolid, Sevilla, Málaga, and Valencia each operate two units. Additionally, Cantabria, Asturias, and Extremadura have two drones each, and the Balearic and Canary Islands have three units per archipelago.
This increased surveillance is part of a wider effort by the DGT to improve road safety. Recent regulatory changes include removing the 20 km/h speed buffer previously allowed for overtaking on conventional roads to discourage risky driving. Furthermore, motorcyclists are now required to wear approved gloves and full-face or modular helmets when riding on interurban roads.
Authorities are also reminding drivers to follow basic rules, such as staying in the right lane on interurban roads and using other lanes only for overtaking. By introducing the S-991g signs, the DGT aims to deter reckless driving through remote monitoring and ensure drivers are aware of the active safety measures in place across the road network.