It is expected that there will be 5,7 million trips on the roads of Spain this weekend, as the holiday season starts to draw to a close and the tourists return to their home towns.

As a result of this, the DGT will besetting up an operation of traffic flow and monitoring from Friday afternoon, until Monday.

The last weekend of August, and the date of the 31st August, are traditionally busy times for “the return”. As this year, the two periods combine, it is expected to be busier than normal, especially on Sunday afternoon, when the DGT are advising people not to travel, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Still, the DGT should avoid travel between 17.00 and 23.00 pm on Sunday, the period which provides for greater intensity and circulatory complications can occur at the entrances to major cities.

A number of diversionary routes have been set up to allow for a better flow of traffic away from city centres. Drivers can learn of these routes on the website of the DGT, where you can also can check the status of the roads.

In addition to the internet, traffic announcements will be broadcast via teletext televisions and radio bulletins, and drivers can telephone 900 123 505 for recorded details. Updates via SMS are also available.

Monitoring this operation will be more than 700 staff with expertise in traffic management, 9.300 Guardia Civil personnel, plus the DGT with 1.183 television cameras, 1.822 message panels and 18 helicopters.

The DGT advise before embarking on the way home or vacation home, remember to keep the focus on driving at all times, in addition to making frequent stops every two hours or so. Do not consume alcoholic beverages if you are driving and avoid taking medications that lower attention or cause drowsiness; a seat belt should be worn at all times, including in the back seat and watch out for child passengers.

Traffic information: http://infocar.dgt.es/etraffic/