Drivers who frequently travel on the M-40 in Madrid are well aware: at kilometer 20.2 of this ring road, there’s a speed camera that doesn’t forgive mistakes. For the second year in a row, this device leads Spain in the number of tickets issued. Over the past year, it recorded 74,553 speeding violations—roughly one every seven minutes. These numbers are not only impressive, but also raise questions about why this particular stretch sees such high enforcement.
According to the latest data, this camera confidently holds onto first place nationwide, outpacing even such busy regions as Andalucía and Valencia. However, Madrid isn’t the only city where drivers need to stay alert. The top ten speed cameras for fines consistently include devices located in Málaga, Navarra, and Valencia. For instance, on the A-7 motorway in Málaga, there were 67,500 violations recorded, and on the A-15 in Navarra—almost 61,000.
Interestingly, the list of Spain’s strictest speed cameras changes every year, but the Madrid camera on the M-40 has managed, for the first time in years, to take the top spot two years in a row. In prior years, the lead switched between cameras in Andalucía, Valencia, and Cádiz. Yet in both 2023 and 2024, this stretch in the capital has become a true challenge for drivers.
The reason for such high statistics lies not only in the heavy traffic but also in the specific organization of road traffic on this section. The speed limit here is reduced to 80 km/h, although on most of the M-40, driving at 100 km/h is permitted. Many drivers, used to higher speeds, don’t always slow down in time, which leads to numerous fines. In addition, the proximity to the large wholesale market Mercamadrid (МеркаМадрид) and the constant flow of vehicles make this stretch especially ‘profitable’ for automated cameras.
Overall, the geography of the most active radars covers almost the entire country. Andalusia has the highest number of devices making it into the top 50, followed by Madrid, Valencia, and Galicia. Meanwhile, statistics for Catalonia and the Basque Country are not included, since traffic control there is managed at the regional level.
Every year, the number of fines issued by automated systems continues to grow. This is due to both the increasing number of radar devices and stricter monitoring of the most dangerous road sections. For drivers, this means one thing: paying attention and observing the speed limit is not just a recommendation but a necessity, especially on well-known ‘traps’ like the M-40 in Madrid.
