Tens of Thousands of A-7 Fines Canceled Due to Radar Error. Drivers in Spain now have a chance to get their money back for fines: on a section of the A-7 in Cádiz, a radar was recording speeding based on an incorrect limit. The DGT has already started canceling the penalties and urges affected drivers to file claims.
On the A-7 motorway section between San Roque and Algeciras in the province of Cadiz, tens of thousands of drivers found themselves at risk of unfair fines. The reason was a technical error in one of the speed cameras: the system registered speeding violations at an 80 km/h limit, even though the road signs allowed speeds up to 100 km/h.
The issue was first publicly raised by Alfonso García, known as 'Motorman', on the 'Poniendo las Calles' program on COPE. According to him, for months there was a clear discrepancy between the official road markings and the radar settings. As a result, many motorists were fined without actually breaking traffic laws.
The situation escalated after a complaint from an employee of the insurance company Arreza Seguros, who received two fines on the same stretch: one for €300 in September 2025 and another for €100 in October. After contacting the DGT, the agency acknowledged the error and on March 5, 2026, officially canceled both fines, stating that there were no grounds for sanctions.
How the radar worked
The radar on this section was set to automatically determine the average speed between two points. Cameras recorded the vehicle's license plate and entry and exit times, after which the system calculated the average speed. However, the software was programmed for an 80 km/h limit, despite road signs allowing 100 km/h. This led to a large number of erroneous fines.
After the problem was identified, the DGT ordered the speed limit signs on the radar to be covered or taped over to prevent new cases of erroneous punishment.
What to do if you were affected
Drivers who received fines on this section since August 2025 can file a complaint with the DGT. In your appeal, it is important to specify that the speed limit indicated on the signs was 100 km/h, while the radar recorded violations starting at 80 km/h. Experts advise not to rush to pay the fine with a discount, but first to check the possibility of having the penalty canceled—there have already been precedents.
According to Talent24h, the DGT has already begun to review and cancel erroneous fines on a large scale. The agency recommends that everyone in a similar situation carefully review their notifications and, if necessary, exercise their right to appeal.
For reference: such cases of technical malfunctions in radars in Spain are rare, but always cause a strong reaction among motorists. It is important to remember that every driver has the right to have a penalty reviewed if there are grounds to doubt its fairness.
