Reference the speed-controlled traffic lights - as you have noted generally ignored by locals - however, on a stretch of the old national road (N-IV) just North of Madrid, which is used as an alternative to the parallel tolled AP6 autopista, they have now installed cameras in conjunction with the traffic lights. Have been installed for about 12 months, and speed limits are still being rigorously observed. Not sure if they are being installed elsewhere - they should be.
Road surfaces generally are good, but due to the "crisis" are starting to deteriorate in some areas due to lack of maintenance.
The prolification of speed limit signs is crazy - not only at bends, but at approaches to junctions on main roads, and to roundabouts - is it really necessary to have 80, 60, 40 signs in close succesion coming up to a roundabout?
You were lucky with the Saturday opening of a repair facility - this is another result of the "crisis" - up to 3 or 4 years ago the motor trade was strictly five day working. Some showrooms are now opening on Saturday afternoons!
Some positives - rarely spend money on parking; my car tax is £69 a year; away from the Costas the roads are empty; can drive through Madrid non-stop via the 12 km long ring road tunnel.
Edited by colinh on 07/08/2014 at 09:26
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