DGT expects 5.76 million long-distance trips nationwide over Pilar holiday weekend

The operation

The Directorate-General of Traffic (DGT) starts its special Pilar 2026 operation on Friday 9 October at 15:00 and keeps it running until midnight on Monday 12 October, Spain's national holiday. Nationally the agency expects 5,760,000 long-distance road movements, an average of 1,440,000 per day, according to DGT sources cited by Europa Press. Most trips are expected to head for coastal and mountain areas, second homes, and towns holding patron saint festivals, including Zaragoza and the Valencian Community, where 9 October is a public holiday. The operation draws on Guardia Civil traffic agents, air units, traffic management centres and emergency services.

Regional forecasts

Regional figures differ by territory. In the Community of Madrid the DGT forecasts 1,110,000 long-distance movements on state roads. In Andalusia it expects 1,267,200 movements through Monday 12 October at 24:00, with traffic spread across Friday and Saturday morning. The return flow will concentrate on access routes into large cities, which could become especially congested. The roads expected to carry the most traffic in Andalusia include the A-4, A-44, A-45, A-92, AP-4, AP-7 and MA-20, plus the secondary network serving tourist and second-home areas. In La Rioja the forecast is 104,000 movements over the four days of the operation.

Measures on the road

The DGT plans to open extra reversible lanes running against the usual direction where safety allows, along with other traffic arrangements at the busiest points and stretches. Alternative routes are set for the most congested roads. Roadworks that could affect traffic will be halted during the operation, sporting events will be limited, and restrictions will apply to trucks, special transports and vehicles carrying dangerous goods. Enforcement will use fixed and mobile speed radars, helicopters, drones and cameras to check phone use and seatbelts. Traffic management centres in Málaga and Seville will run around the clock, with 101 staff in total across them.

Rules and enforcement

The DGT's campaign against distracted driving stays active until Sunday 11 October. The restrictions on works, sporting events and certain vehicles apply to the stretches, dates and times set in a special regulation resolution published in January. The Government delegate in Andalusia, Pedro Fernández, asked road users in a note for 'respect and caution' so that all movements proceed normally. He also pointed to the new Traffic Regulation rules, which have been in force since 1 October.

The new Traffic Regulation rules have been in force since 1 October, aimed at reducing road crashes and protecting the most vulnerable users, such as cyclists, motorcycle and moped passengers, and pedestrians.