British tourists driving in Spain will need to be aware of a new red line on the country’s roads – which comes with a hefty fine for anyone who breaks it

Britons driving in Spain are being warned to watch out for a new road marking – a continuous red line – which has been introduced by the Spanish Directorate General for Traffic (DGT) to enhance road safety.

The red line, which complements the traditional white line, aims to reduce accidents in high-risk areas by reinforcing the ban on overtaking vehicles in critical sections.

The striking colour is intended to serve as an additional warning to grab drivers’ attention in areas where overtaking is strictly prohibited. According to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, the introduction of this new marking follows a thorough analysis of accident rates on conventional roads, where the highest number of serious accidents occur.

British tourists planning to visit Spain soon should be aware that the pilot project is already underway in various locations across the country, chosen based on studies of driver behaviour and accident statistics. For instance, the 26-mile A-355 road near Coin, Malaga, close to Marbella, has been marked with the new signage.

This stretch of road, known as the “highway of death”, has witnessed 10 fatalities in the past 12 months. Despite previous attempts to enhance safety, including the modification of guardrails and increased signage, accidents have persistently occurred on the A-355 since its inauguration ten years ago.

Originally built to accommodate 7,000 vehicles daily, the road now experiences nearly triple that number, with a significant proportion being heavy goods vehicles.

Spain’s new red line is equivalent to the UK’s double continuous white line, which also signifies that overtaking is prohibited, particularly on roads with blind bends or hills where such manoeuvres could be hazardous, reports the Express.

According to Rule 128 of the Highway Code, when the closest line to you is broken, you may cross the lines to overtake if it’s safe and you can complete the action before reaching a solid white line on your side. The Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE) has reiterated that violating the overtaking ban, regardless of the colour of the continuous line, can lead to fines up to €400 (£340) and the deduction of four points from a driving licence.

This penalty is stipulated in the General Traffic Regulations and applies equally to both the white line and the new red line. The introduction of the red line forms part of a wider strategy to boost road safety, incorporating various additional measures such as the installation of new section radars, strengthening awareness campaigns, and increasing the presence of officers on secondary roads.