Spanish capital restricts car use over pollution

Madrid Thursday activated the third stage of an anti-pollution protocol for the first time in history, banning 50 percent of private cars from circulating inside the M-30 ring road.

The ban is in effect between 6:30 a.m. local time and 9:00 p.m. Only vehicles with license plates ended with odd numbers are allowed to circulate on Thursday.

And those ending in even numbers will be permitted on Friday.

Such restriction will then be repeated until pollution levels fall.

The first and second stages of the protocol were introduced after levels of nitrogen dioxide exceeded 180 micrograms per cubic meter on Dec. 26.

But when those levels continued to climb past 200 micrograms on Wednesday, the third stage was put into operation.

"Zero-emission" vehicles, hybrids, and cars with three or more occupants are still allowed to circulate, as are vehicles adapted for use by those with a physical disability.

In addition, a speed limit of 70 kilometers an hour is also in place on the city's main access roads. Endit