Phase 2 of the special operation monitoring the roads of Spain starts on Thursday the 31st of December and runs through to Sunday the 3rd of January.
During this period, it is estimated that 3,450,000 trips will be made on the roads, of the 13.6 million journeys over the whole Christmas period.
The roads are expected to be busier around coastal and mountainous tourist destinations, as well as shopping and leisure centres.
The worst days are expected to be Thursday the 31st of December and Sunday the 3rd of January. These dates will see an increase mostly in longer journeys, as tourists move from inland and city areas to their coastal destinations. In between these dates, the increase will largely be on shorter journeys to the leisure and shopping centres, restaurants and bars.
Major cities will also see road closures in the centre for the celebrations to see in the New Year. Careful planning will be needed if you do intend to travel to the city centres to join in these celebrations.
It is also a tragic likelihood that there will be an increase in drivers consuming alcohol or drugs. As always, the best advice is to consume neither if you intend to drive and if traveling in groups assign a dedicated driver who will not consume any alcohol, or drugs, prior to driving.
Throughout the entire operation the Guardia Civil traffic police will be out in force to keep the roads safe, supported by colleagues from local, regional and national police forces.
The third and final operation coincides with the celebration of Three Kings, which will run between Tuesday the 5th and Wednesday the 6th of January.