The maximum speed on Spanish motorways (autovías and autopistas) will be reduced from 120 kph to 110 kph from March 7 as an emergency measure to save fuel.
On Friday the price of a litre of petrol reached an average 1.285 euros after political revolutions in many Arab states sent the price of a barrel of Brent Crude spiraling to 120 dollars. It fell back to 114 dollars during the day but no-one expects it to stay there.
Spain imports 80% of the petrol it uses and last year imports cost 25,512 millions. THE Government calculates that the 10kph reduction in the speed limit will result in savings of 1,400 millions.
The speed reduction is a temporary measure introduced along with discounts, of up to 5%, on all train tickets for local and medium length journeys, but not for AVE. However, the stickers to change all the roads signs to the new limit will cost the Government 250,000 euros.
Radars and speed cameras will be updated to incorporate the new limit and speeding drivers will face fines if they driver faster than 110 kph on the motorways but will not lose points on their driving licence.
