Madrid bans half of cars from roads to fight air pollution

With air pollution levels sky rocketing in Spain, the city council has enacted several measures in order to reduce the levels of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere. The biggest measures are limiting the amount of vehicles driving in the city. Restricting operational hours, number of vehicles per day
based on license plate numbers, where cars are allowed to park, and finally reducing speed limits. There are exceptions to these restrictions, allowing mopeds and hybrid vehicles to continue to operate, as well as vechiles that are transporting three or more people at a time or operated by people of disability. It is also strongly encouraged that people use public transportation as their main mode of getting around, such as buses, taxi, and trains.
These measures were implemented not to restrict traffic but to address the growing health issues that are rising due to the growing levels of pollution in the air. Going hand in hand, the rise in pollution results in the rise in health issues. This increase in health problems has raised concern with the city council, and has been a major factor in the push to reduce the high pollution levels in Spain.

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