THE woman behind the wheel of the car that crashed on the Fuengirola promenade – killing two people and critically injuring three others – has been arrested by police.

The 45-year-old, of Iranian origin, tested positive in a breathalyser test carried out by Local Police and was found to be driving without a valid licence.

She has been taken into custody on suspicion of double homicide, reckless endangerment, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

One of the victims, a 25-year-old pedestrian, died at the scene. The car’s front-seat passenger also suffered fatal injuries.

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The incident also left several people lightly injured on the paseo maritimo at Carvajal when a car ploughed onto a restaurant terrace.

Witnesses described a car going well above the speed limit travelling along the promenade.

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One witness said that he heard the car’s ‘screeching tyres’ before veering off a curve, striking a lamppost and sliding up on to the terrace of a pizzeria. 

The car smashed multiple tables and subsequently came to a stop on the road against a parked car. 

The crash left an aftermath of shattered glass, broken tables and destroyed infrastructure.

Both Local and National Police were on the scene to secure the area and start an investigation into the crash.

SPAIN has begun testing dynamic speed limits of up to 150 km/h on motorways, as a campaign against speeding has commenced all over the country.

The introduction of these smart speed limits coincides with a major nationwide crackdown on speeding, which began on April 7.

Until Sunday, April 13, both the Policia Nacional and the Guardia Civil will conduct intensive speed checks, especially in areas known for frequent speeding violations.

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During this period, the use of mobile radar traps will be intensified and helicopters will also be deployed in some areas.

Speeding remains one of the leading causes of road accidents in Spain.

So far in 2024, excessive speed has been linked to 218 fatal crashes.

In light of these statistics, both the Spanish government and the European Union have voiced strong support for the new AI-based system, claiming it could significantly enhance road safety.

Unlike traditional static speed limits, which remain the same regardless of traffic or weather conditions, dynamic speed limits are constantly adjusted by AI.

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The system takes into account real-time data such as traffic density, weather conditions, and road surface quality.

This makes it possible to safely raise the speed limit under optimal conditions and lower it when necessary, helping to prevent both accidents and traffic congestion during peak hours.

Catalunya is the first region in Spain to pilot this technology on its motorways.

A section of the AP-7 near El Vendrell has already been equipped with the new system, where the speed limit can reach up to 150 km/h.

Authorities hope that, if successful, the system will eventually be rolled out across the country as part of broader efforts to modernise traffic management and improve road safety.