Navarra's 30-Kilometer Average Speed Radar: What Drivers Must Know 2026

Navarra has activated a new average speed radar on the AP-68 motorway, monitoring a 30.5-kilometer stretch between Cortes and Tudela. This is one of the longest continuous speed control zones in Spain, and it is already issuing fines.

The device, installed in the decreasing direction between kilometer points 115.027 and 84.483, calculates the average speed of vehicles over the entire distance. A second average speed radar has also been operationalized on the N-121-A, covering nearly 14 kilometers between kilometers 26.76 and 40.79, in the area of the Belate and Almandoz tunnels.

Why Navarra Installed These Radars

The Government of Navarra and the DGT justify the decision based on accident data. On the AP-68 stretch, 76 accidents were recorded between January 2022 and June 2025, of which 19 resulted in victims: one fatality, one serious injury, and 25 minor injuries. On the N-121-A, 56 accidents occurred in the same period.

These figures highlight the need for continuous speed enforcement. Unlike traditional fixed radars that measure speed at a single point, average speed radars track vehicles over a long distance, encouraging consistent adherence to speed limits throughout the entire stretch.

How Average Speed Radars Work

Average speed radars, also known as section control or trajectory radars, use cameras at the entry and exit points of a monitored section. The system reads the license plate at the start and again at the end, then calculates the time taken to travel the distance. If the average speed exceeds the limit, a fine is automatically issued.

This method eliminates the possibility of braking abruptly before a fixed radar and accelerating afterwards. It promotes uniform speed and smoother traffic flow, which can reduce accidents caused by speeding and sudden speed changes.

Key Takeaways for Drivers

• Longest average speed radar in Navarra: 30.5 km on AP-68 between Cortes and Tudela.
• Second radar on N-121-A: covers 14 km including Belate and Almandoz tunnels.
• Both are active and fining: no grace period; drive within the limit.
• Accident data justifies installation: 76 accidents on AP-68, 56 on N-121-A in 3.5 years.
• Average speed measured: not point speed, so maintain a steady pace.

Comparison of the Two New Radars

What This Means for Drivers

Drivers using these routes must now maintain a consistent speed within the posted limits. Because the radar calculates average speed, occasional speed variations are allowed as long as the overall average is legal. However, it is safer and simpler to use cruise control where possible. The background to this story is set out in Why Average Speed Cameras Beat Traditional Radar, Explained. A related thread runs through DGT Chief Pere Navarro: Speeding Fines Target 'Idiots' Not Revenue. Earlier coverage in Spain's Largest Pumpkin: Navarra Farmer Grows 1,187-Kilo Giant shows how the argument developed.

The fines for exceeding the average speed are the same as for traditional speeding tickets, based on the percentage over the limit. Repeat offenders may face higher penalties. The system is fully automated and operates 24/7. A closer look at the same subject appears in Navarra's New Housing Model: Neither Buying Nor Renting. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Car: latest articles. The same theme surfaces in Radar Detector, Jammer or Warner: What's Legal in Spain, which takes a different angle.

This trend is likely to continue. Spain has been expanding its network of average speed radars, and Navarra's new installations are among the longest. Other regions may follow suit, especially on high-accident stretches. Context on how this played out before sits in Scooter Rider Arrested for Attempted Radar Theft Faces 2-4 Years in Prison.

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