The date on which the famous Saltacaballo radar (Cantabria) will begin issuing fines

The General Directorate of Traffic has around 2,000 speed control radars across the Spanish road network. Furthermore, during 2025, it will install up to 122 new fixed and section devices , including the one in Saltacaballo (Cantabria) .

This section radar monitors more than six kilometers of the A-8 between the Ontón viaduct (km 140.5) and the Castro Urdiales Sur exit (km 146.9) . This device is limited to 100 km/h and replaces a fixed speed camera that had a speed limit of 80 km/h. This radar was activated on August 1, although it only imposes informative sanctions.

When will this section device start fining?

Specifically, this radar, which monitors the section between the Ontón Viaduct and the Sámano exit (Castro Urdiales Sur) , will issue informational fines throughout the month of August , as the DGT has established this trial period. Therefore, drivers who exceed the 100 km/h speed limit will not receive a fine until September 1st .

In short, this device will become one of the longest in our country and will monitor the average speed of vehicles traveling on this stretch , penalizing those who exceed the speed limit. Finally, it's worth noting that the Saltacaballo device operates in both directions of traffic.

What other section radars can we find on the A-8?

The Cantabrian Highway (A-8) currently has several control radars per section . The first is located between kilometer markers 505 and 506 , on the border between Asturias and Galicia, specifically between Ribadeo and Figueras, and covers a distance of 1.1 km.

Another section device is located between kilometers 545.9 and 550.2 , covering 5.6 km, in the section between Mondoñedo and O Fiouco, in the province of Lugo. The latter operates in both directions and establishes a speed limit of 100 km/h. The A-8 motorway also has more than 10 fixed radars in operation, in addition to mobile ones positioned by the Civil Guard.

Operation of a stretch device

The DGT clarifies that these are not "radars" in the strict sense , as velolaser speed cameras are. Instead, they are a system of cameras that continuously record and record the license plate of each vehicle as it enters and exits the controlled section.

A computer compares both readings, verifies the time taken, and calculates the average speed . If the speed remains below the permitted limit, no penalty will be applied; however, if the speed exceeds the posted speed limit, the vehicle will be fined . This type of equipment is installed on both conventional and high-capacity roads and can cover several kilometers.