Drivers in Tenerife may come across an orange radar warning sign on Spanish roads, but not everyone knows exactly what it means.
Unlike the more familiar speed camera warnings, this sign indicates that motorists are entering a section of road identified as particularly dangerous, where speed enforcement may be carried out over the distance shown.
The important point is that drivers should remain alert and stick to the speed limit throughout the entire section, rather than simply slowing down for a camera they expect to see nearby.
What does the orange DGT sign mean?
According to the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE), the sign warns that drivers are entering a stretch of road with a history of dangerous conditions and that their speed may be subject to special monitoring.
It does not necessarily mean there is a fixed speed camera immediately ahead, nor does it automatically indicate an average-speed camera section.
The DGT introduced these signs on certain conventional roads with high accident and fatality rates linked to excessive speed.
Enforcement can take place at different points along the marked section, using mobile speed cameras, temporarily installed equipment, aerial monitoring or checks carried out by traffic officers.
RACE also makes an important distinction: these orange signs should not be confused with the signs displayed on vehicles transporting dangerous goods.
How should drivers react?
The advice is fairly straightforward. Once you see the orange sign, make sure you are travelling within the posted speed limit and maintain that speed throughout the indicated distance.
There is no point slamming on the brakes at the last moment. Sudden braking can create a collision risk for vehicles behind, particularly in heavier traffic or where drivers are not leaving enough stopping distance.
Instead, drivers should:
- Respect the speed limit throughout the entire marked section.
- Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead.
- Avoid sudden braking or unnecessary changes in speed.
- Adjust their driving to road conditions and the weather.
- Stay alert, as speed checks may take place anywhere along the section.
The message from the DGT is simple enough. The orange sign is there to warn drivers that they are entering a higher-risk stretch of road, not to tell them where the next speed camera is hiding.
The safest approach is to take the warning seriously and drive accordingly. It could save you a fine, but more importantly, it could prevent an accident.