More than 13,000 fines in three months due to the new speed cameras in the center of Girona

Girona13,276 fines. This is the staggering number of fines issued between September and November by the four new fixed speed cameras installed in the center of Girona. This represents an average of 4,425 fines per month, almost 150 per day. The City Council installed the cameras last August at locations considered problematic, with a high concentration of accidents, near sensitive areas such as schools, where residents had complained about noise and speeding. The aim is to improve road safety, calm traffic, and reduce noise and air pollution, coinciding with the city's implementation of a new traffic management system. the new low-emission zoneHowever, although the signs are visible, many drivers still haven't gotten used to slowing down and have had to pay the price in the form of fines. Of the four speed cameras, two have a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h. These are the one on Pedret Street, near number 146, on the road that runs alongside the Ter River at the entrance to and exit from Girona. Pont Major neighborhoodThe first speed camera is located on Josep Tarradellas Avenue, opposite the Maristes school, a straight stretch where vehicles often only slowed down because of the traffic lights. The other two cameras, with a 40 km/h speed limit, are located on Río Güell Street, opposite the Bèlit sports field, in the Sant Narcís neighborhood, and at the intersection of Barcelona Street and Creu Street, two busy thoroughfares. In all cases, these are streets where, historically, vehicles traveled at 50 km/h—or even higher, illegally—but where, after the pandemic, traffic regulations were adapted to the new urban limits of 30 and 40 km/h. These speed limits are safer and less polluting, but many drivers did not respect them. That is why the City Council has decided to launch this enforcement campaign.

Regarding the amount of the fines, they are classified as serious or very serious offenses and range from €100 to €600, depending on the speed exceeded. Drivers have twenty calendar days to pay the fine with a 50% discount, and the violations may also result in the loss of points on their driving license. On roads with a 30 km/h speed limit, two points are lost for exceeding 50 km/h, four for exceeding 60 km/h, and six for exceeding 70 km/h, taking into account the margin of error. In the case of sections with a 40 km/h limit, two points are lost for exceeding 60 km/h, four for exceeding 70 km/h, and six for exceeding 80 km/h.

The speed cameras at Pedret and Maristes are the ones that issue the most fines

The speed cameras that issue the most fines are those located in Pedret and in front of the Maristes school, both with a 30 km/h limit. However, before and after these points, there are sections marked with a 40 km/h limit, requiring drivers to be vigilant. It's easy to get distracted and exceed the limit, which is why both speed cameras are accompanied by educational displays that inform drivers in real time of their vehicle's speed just before the section where a fine could be issued. The Maristes speed camera, which is also the busiest, accounts for almost half of all fines. As for the Pedret camera, 567 fines were issued in just one week at the end of November. However, the data shows a downward trend, as, between December 8th and 14th, for example, fines in Pedret decreased slightly to 399. "We've seen accidents in sensitive areas like the Pedret civic center or the Maristes school, and since the speed cameras were installed, we haven't had any significant accidents in these zones," he explains. Furthermore, according to the councilor, although many fines were initially issued, "the percentage has been decreasing significantly," which he attributes to greater awareness among drivers. He also states that, since the speed cameras were put into operation in August, "residents' associations tell us they've clearly noticed that vehicles are driving more slowly." The City Council is not considering changing the 30 km/h speed limit.

For now, despite the high number of fines, the City Council is not considering modifying the fixed speed cameras at Pedret and Maristas, which currently have speed limits of 30 to 40 km/h. In the case of Pedret, some drivers were speeding because they instinctively perceived the stretch as an exit from the city heading north, as the concentration of residential buildings decreases and industrial buildings begin. However, the councilor insists that "it is an urban section" and "right after that, the road cuts right through the Pont Major neighborhood." Regarding Maristas, the council also has no intention of making changes, given that it is the exit from a school where there is a lot of traffic from families and children in the mornings and afternoons. That said, although there is already signage and educational flashing lights, the City Council is considering reinforcing the visual impact with larger signs reminding drivers of the need to reduce their speed. "We need to get the public used to the fact that 50 km/h speeds are no longer the norm in the city. Now we're talking about roads with a maximum speed limit of 20, 30, or 40 km/h. It's much safer and promotes coexistence between cars, bicycles, and scooters," Sánchez concludes.