The new cash cow installed in the tunnel on the A-7 near Torrox becomes fully operational today, Tuesday, and fines of up to €600 euros will be result of exceeding the 100 kph speed limit.
The new radar system, the second to be installed in Spain, measures average speed through the tunnel rather than at a fixed point as is the case with conventional radar speed traps.
Vehicles are photographed entering and leaving the tunnel and a computer then calculates the average speed. Exceeding the speed limit can result in a fine of up to €600 and the loss of six driving licence points.
The new radar was initially due to start operating fully as from February 1st 2011 but was postponed for one month. The other similar speed trap is located on the AP-6 in Guadarrama, Madrid, and came into operation on February 1st 2011.
Tests carried out in January, during which time motorists simply received a letter stating how much they would normally be fined, showed that 1,800 vehicles (1.8%) out of 100,000 clocked were exceeding the speed limit.
There are plans to install 100 of the new speed traps in various parts of the country during this year.