Road safety is a constant priority for European countries, which are looking for innovative ways to reduce the number of accidents. In this context, Spain has introduced a new road sign that has quickly become the subject of heated debate: S991f. It was created by the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) and aims to tackle one of the most common problems on the road - failure to maintain a safe distance between vehicles.
What does the new sign mean?
The S991f sign is rectangular, with a blue background. At its top, it contains a red circle depicting two cars and the minimum distance that must be maintained between them (for example, 70 meters). On the sides of the image are wavy lines and pictograms of a car, truck and motorcycle, indicating that the sign applies to all types of vehicles.
Its main purpose is to inform drivers that automatic minimum distance control is being carried out on a certain section of a motorway or expressway. The system works in a similar way to that of sectional radars, measuring both the speed and the distance between vehicles.
Although the official goal of the DGT is to reduce accidents caused by chain collisions, many drivers perceive the new sign as a "hidden tax". Their main argument is that distance rules are relative. They depend on a number of factors such as speed, road conditions (dry, wet, icy) and the driver's reactions. Drivers claim that it is impossible to comply with the requirement, as there is no way to measure the exact distance to the car in front.
In general, failure to maintain a following distance in Spain is considered a serious offense, punishable by a fine of up to 200 euros and the loss of 4 points from your driving license. With the introduction of the new sign, the likelihood of being fined if you break the rule increases significantly.
Despite the controversy, the DGT remains firm in its intention, emphasizing that their main goal is to increase road safety and prevent serious accidents. The introduction of the S991f is a clear example of how road signs are adapting to new technologies. Whether it will become the standard in other European countries remains to be seen.