Spanish traffic authorities investigate the vandalization of 7 speed cameras and vow to take legal action against the perpetrators.
The vandalization of speed cameras is classified as a criminal offense under Spain’s Penal Code, and those responsible will face legal action, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) pledged. The DGT has launched an investigation into the vandalization of seven speed cameras on conventional roads across the Madrid region, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, and the Valencia region. The DGT is working with the Civil Guard to locate the perpetrators and initiate legal action against them.
Legal
Under Spanish law, vandalizing speed cameras constitutes a criminal offense of property damage, as outlined in Articles 263 to 267 of the Penal Code. These provisions specifically address actions that cause harm to someone else’s property, with the aim of protecting public assets. Article 263.2 of the Penal Code specifies an aggravated form of the offense, carrying a penalty of imprisonment for 1 to 3 years and a fine of 12 to 24 months. This more severe penalty applies when the damage is done with the intent to hinder the authority’s actions or in retaliation against public officials or individuals who play a role in enforcing the law.
In addition to facing criminal charges, the individuals responsible for the vandalism will be required to compensate for the financial damage caused. The cost of each fixed radar is estimated at €67,000, while the cost of section radars (which monitor average speed over a distance) is approximately €66,000.
Prevention
“These acts of vandalism not only harm public property but also undermine road safety. The primary purpose of speed cameras is to improve road safety by monitoring and enforcing speed limits, and these attacks directly threaten that objective“, states the DGT. That is why, to prevent further vandalism, the Civil Guard’s Traffic Group and Citizen Security officers will enhance their monitoring of the locations where the speed cameras are installed. Surveillance cameras have been installed at these points, directly linked to the DGT’s Control Centers, to detect potential sabotage and enable an immediate response by the Civil Guard patrols.
Strategy
Between 10% and 15% of all traffic crashes, and approximately 30% of fatal crashes, are directly caused by excessive or inappropriate speed, according to the 2021 Road Safety Report published by the European Road Safety Observatory and the International Transport Forum’s Speed Management report. The reports highlight the importance of speed management, which should include police surveillance and the automatic control of speed. The use of speed cameras and section speed checks is a critical part of this strategy. The DGT encourages further use of these tools to improve road safety for all users, including foreign drivers.