A single speed camera on the A-7 in Valencia generated over 90,000 fines in 2025, helping drive traffic penalty revenues in Spain to new heights. The surge in enforcement is sparking debate over the true purpose of these devices.
At kilometer 326 of the A-7 motorway near La Canyada, Valencia, a single speed camera has become the most prolific in Spain. In 2025, this radar issued 90,766 fines, making it the country’s top revenue generator among traffic enforcement devices. While the exact sum collected by this camera is not disclosed, its impact is clear: the Valencian Community led Spain in traffic fine revenue last year, amassing €18.9 million.
The data, compiled by Automovilistas Europeos Asociados (AEA), highlights a sharp increase in the use and effectiveness of speed cameras across Spain. The Valencia radar’s daily average—249 fines—underscores the scale of enforcement on Spanish roads.
National Ranking
Following Valencia, the radar on the CV-905 at kilometer 7 in Alicante ranked second, with 72,557 fines. In third place, Navarra’s A-15 at kilometer 127 recorded 67,445 fines, up from 60,878 the previous year. The TF-2 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife saw a dramatic jump, issuing 49,641 fines in 2025 compared to just 1,358 in 2024.
Other high-activity radars include the A-7 at kilometer 968 in Málaga (45,050 fines), the M-40 at kilometer 20 in Madrid (43,500), and another A-7 radar at kilometer 978 in Málaga (42,088). The A-381 in Cádiz (kilometer 74) and the A-4 in Ciudad Real (kilometer 135) also featured prominently, with 36,925 and 32,041 fines respectively. Rounding out the top ten is the M-40 in Madrid at kilometer 52, with 31,175 fines so far in 2025.
Record Revenues
Across Spain, speed cameras operated by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) generated a record €246.8 million in 2025, a 14% increase over the previous year. According to AEA, fines for speeding now account for 41.5% of all traffic penalty income nationwide, excluding the Basque Country and Catalonia.
Mario Arnaldo, president of AEA, has called for a review of the DGT’s radar policy, arguing that the current approach is failing to reduce speeding or accidents and instead turns cameras into revenue tools.
Regional Breakdown
Five provinces stood out for their high traffic fine revenues in 2025. Alicante led with €28.7 million, a 38% jump from the previous year, and saw an 83.6% surge in speed-related fines. Almería followed with €13.2 million, up 32.5%, and a near-tripling of speed fine income. Asturias collected €12.6 million, a 29.9% increase, with speed fines rising by 67.6%. Albacete’s total reached €6.76 million, a modest 0.6% rise, though speed fines there actually fell by 11.3%. Ávila reported €4.89 million, up 12.7%, with speed fines increasing by 31.2%.
Context and Implications
The rapid growth in traffic fine revenues reflects both expanded enforcement and changing driver behavior. While authorities argue that speed cameras are essential for road safety, critics point to the growing financial dependence on fines and question whether the devices are achieving their stated goals. The debate is likely to intensify as more data emerges and as Spain continues to invest in automated traffic control.
For context, Spain has steadily increased its network of fixed and mobile speed cameras over the past decade, with the DGT regularly publishing locations and statistics. While the stated aim is to reduce accidents, the concentration of fines in certain regions and on specific stretches of road suggests that enforcement is not evenly distributed. As the conversation around road safety and public revenue continues, the role of speed cameras remains a contentious issue in Spanish society.
