Traffic authority explains new road markings: 'Dragon's teeth' and zig-zags

NEW road markings are being rolled out all over Spain after starting off on just a handful of highways, and the traffic authority wants to ensure everyone knows what they mean.

Broken lines and what are known as 'dragon's teeth' began to appear along each side of roads in 2021, but only in a few towns – although now, they are gradually spreading out all over the country.

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), part of Spain's transport ministry, explains that 'dragon's teeth' – so named because of their shape – are a series of triangles painted along both edges of a road, with the apex, or point, facing inwards towards the centre.

They are normally found at the entrance to towns or built-up areas from a main highway, where the speed limit drops.

When drivers 'enter' the 'dragon's jaw', they should begin slowing down in preparation.

The idea of this is to prevent suddenly reduction in speed upon sight of a sign showing the much lower limit, which can lead to rear shunts if cars behind do not react quickly enough.

According to the DGT, the 'dragon's teeth' markings work by giving the driver the illusion of the road becoming narrower, which means they instinctively take their foot off the accelerator. 

In reality, this is not the case, since there is no prohibition on driving on top of the markings.

Similar, relatively-new road markings are broken lines in a zig-zag pattern, painted along a stretch of approximately 30 metres. 

These aim to warn drivers of an imminent zebra crossing, so they can slow down and be ready to stop in time. 

Is it illegal if you don't stop at a zebra crossing?

Although it is very common for drivers in Spain to fail to stop at zebra crossings without a traffic light unless a pedestrian is actually on it at the time, they are, in fact, legally required to slow down upon the approach and, if anyone is waiting on the roadside to cross, to stop and allow them to do so.

Not stopping at a zebra crossing does not often lead to a fine, but it can, and police have the power to do so – and they typically will if they consider the failure to stop to be particularly dangerous.

Other systems to discourage speeding

Signs, markings and other systems to prevent speeding on Spain's roads are not limited to cameras, police presence and speed-bumps – they include those with a 'psychological effect' on drivers.

Among them are bandas sonoras, which translates equally as 'soundtrack' for a film, but also as strips with notches or lumps on them that make the car judder and create an unpleasant noise at higher speeds.

Traffic lights at the entrance to towns which automatically turn red if approaching drivers exceed the speed limit are another, as are large, digital screens which show them the actual speed they are travelling at.

Typically, these will flash or come up in red if a motorist is breaking the limit, or produce a face icon with a downturned mouth, which becomes a 'smiley face' if the driver slows to within the limit in time.

Another type of road marking, more commonly seen in small towns and villages, is the so-called '3D zebra crossing'.

These are painted in such a way that, on the approach, the lines appear to be hovering above the road, causing the driver to brake instinctively to avoid 'crashing into' the floating white strips.

Speed cameras explained

As for speed cameras, these are nearly always signposted well in advance, especially on motorways – their aim is to slow drivers down, not to catch them going to fast and fine them, so they are most effective if motorists know where they are.

Police with manual speed guns may not always be visible, though, and DGT helicopters and drones are often flying at an altitude of up to a kilometre, meaning they cannot be seen.

Anyone caught speeding via non-human means will normally receive a photo of their car at the point of the road they were detected, with the date and time, and the exact speed they were travelling at, along with their fine notice.

Usually, paying the fine before a specific deadline means a 50% discount. As a 'standard' speeding fine – where the driver is over the limit, but not by an excessive margin – is around €100, this means paying it swiftly can reduce it to €50.

Severe speeding offences can lead to much larger fines, loss of licence points – a minimum of four out of the 12 points a new and clean licence has – and, if particularly serious, a driving ban or even a custodial sentence.