DGT Launches Summer Road Crackdown Amid World Cup Semifinal and Holiday Travel Surge
Spain's Directorate-General for Traffic has launched an intensified nationwide surveillance operation through July 19, increasing alcohol and drug testing as 104 million summer trips coincide with major sporting events.
The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has launched a special surveillance operation for the 2026 summer season, with 104 million trips expected across the country. Authorities are intensifying road controls immediately, coinciding with tonight’s World Cup semifinal between Spain and France. Because this major sporting event overlaps with the start of the summer holidays, police will increase preventive drug and alcohol testing on all roads—including highways and local routes—through July 19.
This crackdown follows concerning statistics from 2024, when alcohol was a factor in nearly three out of every ten fatal accidents, contributing to 273 deaths. The DGT is reminding drivers of the legal limits: the general limit is 0.25 mg/l of exhaled air, while novice and professional drivers are restricted to 0.15 mg/l. Exceeding 0.60 mg/l is a criminal offense, punishable by six months to one year in prison and a license suspension of up to four years. Refusing a breathalyzer test also carries serious criminal penalties.
There is a zero-tolerance policy for users of bicycles, mopeds (up to 125cc), and personal mobility vehicles, particularly minors, who must maintain a 0.0 mg/l limit. Minors caught violating this rule face a 500-euro fine and the loss of four license points. Generally, administrative offenses for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol carry fines between 500 and 1,000 euros, along with the loss of four to six license points.
Beyond increased enforcement, the DGT is urging the public to act responsibly. While the excitement of tonight’s match is understandable, the agency emphasizes that road safety is a shared duty. If you plan to celebrate with alcohol, do not get behind the wheel; ensure that a festive evening does not end in tragedy on the road.