New driver criminally reported for hiding a Mossos radar
If you thought hiding a radar behind some bushes was something out of a movie, you might want to start reconsidering your strategy on the road. The Mossos d'Esquadra, with their imagination worthy of a noir novel, left a radar camouflaged on a stretch of the TV-3408 to catch those who forget the limits.
But the irony of the case is that the protagonist is not a professional racer or an experienced offender, but a novice driver who decided to test the speed camera with a Renault Megane at 170 km/h on a stretch limited to 80. Yes, you read that right: more than double the allowed speed.
The hidden radar on the TV-3408 and its true target
The Mossos installed the radar right at kilometer 5 of the TV-3408, in Amposta (Tarragona), hiding it behind some bushes, a place that seems taken from a poaching strategy. The goal? To control speeding excesses in a section where 80 km/h is the norm.
🎯 Driving license points deducted: 6 to 8 points
📅 In force since: March 17, 2024
🏛️ Authority: Mossos d'Esquadra
The radar detected a garnet Renault Megane traveling at 170 km/h, an excess that leaves no room for excuses like "I was falling asleep" or "the speed wasn't that high." And the driver? A young novice who now faces a criminal charge for a traffic safety offense.
What does this charge mean for the novice driver?
Going more than double the speed limit can be very costly, and not just financially. The law provides penalties that include between three and six months in prison, heavy fines, community service, and license suspension from one to four years. This is without considering the moral debate about whether a novice driver deserves such a severe sanction.
The disappearance of the specific limit for novice drivers
Interestingly, the 80 km/h limit for novice drivers disappeared years ago, so the young driver was not subject to this specific limit, but that does not save him from the offense for driving at such a reckless speed. Beyond the regulations, going 170 in an 80 zone endangers one’s own life and that of others.
Context and data on speed and road safety
Real impact of speed on accidents
According to the European Road Safety Observatory, an increase of 10 km/h doubles the chance of a fatal accident. This is not theoretical: it is a reality that no one can afford to ignore on the road.
The effect of speed on vulnerable users
From 80 km/h, the chances that a pedestrian survives a collision are almost nil. In contrast, at 30 km/h, the risk of death drops to 5%. This explains why the DGT stresses the importance of respecting these limits, especially in urban areas and conventional roads.
Driver perception and authorities’ response
The percentage of drivers who ignore limits
60% of drivers admit to not respecting limits on conventional roads, 50% in the city, and 40% on highways, according to internal DGT data. This highlights a serious cultural problem that is hardly changed by simple fines.
The stance of the Mossos and the DGT on these infractions
The Mossos, responsible for road safety in Catalonia, do not hesitate to set up controls and camouflaged radars to reduce these behaviors. The DGT also insists on the need to comply with limits to avoid accidents and reminds that point withdrawals and criminal penalties are real and severe.
The case of the novice driver on the TV-3408 is a clear example of what happens when the yellow speed line is crossed, especially in areas where safety must be a priority.
The reality is that driving at more than double the allowed speed is not just an infraction; it is putting lives at risk and assuming serious legal consequences. Better think twice before pressing the accelerator beyond what is suitable.
