Spain’s first major heatwave of the summer is arriving just as roads begin filling up with weekend travellers and early holidaymakers. With temperatures forecast to approach 40C in parts of the country, the DGT is warning motorists to take extra care. The concern is not only what the heat can do to a vehicle, but what it can do to the person sitting behind the wheel.

For many people, a summer drive across Spain is part of the season.

Whether it is a weekend at the coast, a family visit or the start of a long awaited holiday, thousands of motorists will be spending hours on the road over the coming days.

The car is fuelled, the luggage is packed and the route has been planned. What often receives far less attention is how quickly extreme heat can affect concentration.

Anyone who has driven through Spain during a heatwave will recognise the feeling. The journey starts comfortably enough. The air conditioning is running, traffic is moving and everything seems under control.

Then the kilometres begin to add up. The sun beats through the windscreen. Traffic slows. Drivers become more impatient. Small frustrations suddenly feel bigger than they should.

That gradual change is exactly what worries road safety authorities every summer. The DGT has once again reminded motorists that heat can affect alertness, increase fatigue and make driving more demanding, particularly on longer journeys.

Why extreme heat can affect drivers more than they realise

Most people think about road safety in terms of speed, weather or vehicle condition.

Heat tends to be overlooked. Yet it can have a surprisingly strong effect on the body.

When temperatures rise, drivers tire more quickly and often struggle to maintain the same level of concentration for extended periods. Long hours behind the wheel become more exhausting and reaction times can suffer.

According to information highlighted by Euromaster based on research from the Foundation for Road Safety, cabin temperatures above 35C can significantly increase the risk of an accident.

The organisation says the likelihood of a crash may rise by as much as 25 per cent under those conditions.

Researchers have also pointed out that excessive heat can affect alertness and decision making. Some comparisons have even been made between driving in extreme heat and driving after consuming alcohol within certain legal limits, not because the effects are identical, but because both can reduce a driver’s ability to react effectively.

Heat can also influence behaviour. Drivers may become more irritable, more impatient in traffic and less attentive to what is happening around them.

During busy summer weekends, when roads are already under pressure, that combination can create additional risks.

The car problems that often appear during a heatwave

While the DGT’s focus is often on drivers, vehicles can suffer too. Mechanics frequently describe the first major heatwave of the year as a test that exposes weaknesses which may have gone unnoticed during spring.

Tyres are among the components most affected by high temperatures.

Hot road surfaces place extra stress on rubber, making tyre pressure and tread condition particularly important before setting off on a long journey.

Cooling systems also come under greater strain. A vehicle with a minor issue that causes no problems in mild weather may suddenly struggle when temperatures climb towards 40C.

Experts recommend checking coolant levels, engine oil and braking systems before travelling.

Batteries can also be affected by prolonged exposure to heat, especially older units approaching the end of their lifespan.

Then there is the air conditioning. Most drivers see it as a comfort feature. Traffic authorities see it as something more important.

The DGT recommends maintaining the interior of the vehicle at around 22C to 24C, arguing that comfortable temperatures help drivers remain alert and focused throughout the journey.

The summer mistake authorities keep seeing every year

Despite repeated warnings, emergency services continue to respond to the same preventable situations every summer and one of the most dangerous involves leaving children, elderly people or pets inside parked vehicles.

Even when outside temperatures seem manageable, conditions inside a closed car can become dangerous in a surprisingly short period of time.

The DGT is also encouraging drivers to avoid travelling during the hottest hours whenever possible, particularly during long journeys.

Regular breaks remain one of the simplest ways to reduce fatigue. The agency recommends stopping every two hours or roughly every 200 kilometres, drinking water frequently and pulling over immediately if signs of tiredness begin to appear.

With temperatures climbing across much of Spain and summer traffic expected to increase over the coming weeks, authorities say preparation matters more than ever.

Most drivers will remember to check their tyres, fuel level and air conditioning before setting off.

The DGT’s message is that they should not forget to check something else as well : The condition of the driver. Because during a Spanish heatwave, that may be the most important safety feature in the entire vehicle.

Buying a new car in Europe could become even more expensive from July 7. New EU safety rules coming into force next month will require additional technology in newly sold vehicles, adding to a trend that has already seen the price of many entry level cars climb sharply in recent years. Industry figures have repeatedly warned that smaller and more affordable models are feeling the pressure most.

Not so long ago, buying a basic new car was relatively straightforward. You picked the engine, chose a colour, maybe added air conditioning or a better radio and drove away.

Today, even the cheapest models come loaded with cameras, sensors, warning systems and electronic assistants that quietly monitor what is happening both inside and outside the vehicle.

Most drivers never specifically asked for many of these features. Yet they are increasingly becoming part of every new car sold in Europe.

That trend will continue on July 7 when a new phase of European safety rules comes into effect. The goal is simple enough. European authorities want to reduce serious accidents and save lives.

Few people would argue with that but the debate starts when the conversation turns to cost because while safety technology may improve protection on the road, someone still has to pay for it and ultimately that person is usually the customer.

Why small cars are becoming a rare sight

One of the biggest changes in the European car market over the last decade has been the gradual disappearance of low cost city cars.

Manufacturers have repeatedly warned that producing small vehicles is becoming increasingly difficult.

The reason isn’t just inflation. It’s also the growing amount of mandatory equipment required on every new vehicle.

A large SUV selling for €40,000 or €50,000 can absorb extra technology costs relatively easily. A compact urban car selling for a fraction of that price has much less room for additional expenses.

That reality has already pushed several manufacturers to rethink their smallest models.

Some have left the segment altogether. Others have raised prices to levels that would have seemed unthinkable a few years ago.

For buyers looking for a simple runabout to drive around town, the choices are becoming more limited with every passing year.

The technology drivers will be paying for

The July changes do not introduce a completely new generation of safety systems. Instead, they build on technologies that are already appearing in many recently launched cars.

Automatic emergency braking is one example. The systems already fitted to modern vehicles are becoming more sophisticated and are expected to react more effectively to pedestrians and cyclists.

Lane keeping technology is also being improved so that it can perform more reliably in difficult conditions, including poor weather and reduced visibility.

Driver monitoring systems are evolving as well. Rather than simply looking for signs of fatigue, newer systems are increasingly capable of detecting when a driver’s attention has drifted away from the road.

Behind every new safety feature sits a growing network of cameras, sensors and software. The technology may be largely invisible to drivers, but it adds complexity to the vehicle and increases production costs.

Each component may seem insignificant on its own. Together, they add complexity and cost.

The new rules also require vehicles to be technically prepared for the future installation of alcohol interlock devices. Contrary to some online claims, drivers will not suddenly have to take a breath test every time they start their car. The requirement concerns compatibility rather than mandatory use.

What drivers really think about all this

Talk to motorists and opinions tend to be divided. Some welcome every new safety feature. They point out that modern cars are safer than ever and argue that technology can help prevent mistakes that sometimes lead to serious accidents.

Others feel the balance has shifted too far. Many complain about constant warnings, audible alerts and electronic interventions that can make newer vehicles feel less relaxing to drive than older models.

There is also a growing frustration about prices.

For younger drivers, families on tighter budgets and retirees looking for a second vehicle, buying a new car is becoming increasingly difficult.

That concern is unlikely to disappear any time soon.

The European Union’s broader objective remains reducing deaths and serious injuries on the road, and safety technology is expected to play an important role in that strategy.

As a result, few experts expect regulators to slow down. If anything, cars are likely to become even more sophisticated in the years ahead.

For consumers, however, the immediate question is much simpler.

How much more expensive can new cars become before ordinary buyers start walking away? That is the challenge facing both manufacturers and regulators as Europe enters another chapter in the transformation of the modern car and for anyone planning to visit a dealership after July 7, it may be the price tag rather than the technology that attracts the most attention.

In April, US astronaut Christina Koch embarked on a ground-breaking space mission as one of the four Artemis II crew members. Now back on Earth, Koch has been awarded Spain’s prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Concord for having “helped extend the frontiers of humanity”.

The Princess of Asturias Awards are among the most prestigious international honours globally, which aim to recognise “scientific technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out at an international level”.

This year, a total of 36 candidatures from 16 nationalities were put forward for the Award of Concord.  After lengthy deliberation, the jury announced Christina Koch as the recipient of the honour.

Christina Koch’s historic Artemis II mission

In her illustrious career, Koch has reached incredible heights. Literally and figuratively. On board the Artemis II, Koch and her crewmates set the record for the greatest distance travelled by humans in space: 406,771 kilometres from Earth.

The Artemis II mission also marked a major milestone in space exploration, returning humans to lunar orbit for the first time in more than 50 years. Koch became the first woman ever to travel to and orbit the Moon.

The jury praised her determination and contribution to advancing humanity’s understanding of space. In its official statement, it highlighted how her achievements, supported by the collective efforts behind Artemis II, have inspired people around the world and reflected the mission’s message of global unity: “Earth, you are one team.”

Record-breaking achievements in space exploration

During her time aboard the International Space Station in 2019 Koch spent 328 consecutive days in space, the longest spaceflight by a woman. She was also a vital part of an important milestone when she performed the first all-female spacewalk with fellow astronaut Jessica Meir, an achievement that helped pave the way for greater representation in human spaceflight.

Her work as an engineer, physicist and astronaut has earned her numerous accolades and international recognition throughout her career. What’s more, she is seen as a potential candidate for future lunar-surface missions, possibly becoming the first woman to reach the moon.

Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony 2026

It is these accomplishments and many more that have earned Christina Koch global recognition. The Princess of Asturias Award for Concord is presented to individuals and organisations whose work promotes human dignity, solidarity, peace and the progress of humanity.

Koch will formally receive the honour at the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards Ceremony, scheduled to take place on 23 October at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain. Presided over by the Spanish royal family, the ceremony will bring together recipients from all eight award categories. Alongside the distinction itself, award winners receive a diploma, an insignia, a sculpture designed by Joan Miró and a €50,000 cash prize.