Unsafe Roads In Spain: Which Cities Have The Worst Drivers?
Spain News
Published: 13 October 2023 17:22 CET
The Spanish Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Entities (UNESPA) recently conducted a comprehensive analysis of driving habits in various Spanish cities. Unfortunately, the summer of 2023 saw a less positive outcome than anticipated in terms of road safety. In September, the Acting Minister of the Interior unveiled the provisional statistics for fatal accidents that occurred on Spanish roads during the summer. A total of 234 individuals lost their lives in traffic accidents, marking a seven-person increase from the previous year.
"In terms of road safety, we are not willing to take even a step back in our commitment to reduce fatal and serious accidents by 50 percent by 2030," emphasised Grande-Marlaska while presenting the results.
It's crucial to consider that alongside the rise in fatal accidents, Spain also experienced a 0.3 percent increase in long-distance road trips during the summer compared to the previous year. The day with the highest volume of trips occurred on Friday, August 11, with 1.8 million journeys, coinciding with the extended weekend around August 15. In contrast, the day with the least mobility was Saturday, July 11, with 1.3 million trips.
In a concerted effort to minimise the number of accidents across the country, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) consistently launches campaigns and implements new measures to enhance road safety. Furthermore, numerous organisations regularly release studies addressing various aspects of road safety.
UNESPA, in a recent initiative, undertook an analysis of driving behaviour among young people in Spain. The study categorised accidents based on their severity, distinguishing between those resulting in serious injuries or fatalities and those causing only minor damage, known as "metal hits."
The study's findings confirmed that young drivers, as well as those in the immediate age group of between 36 and 45 years, tend to be more prone to traffic accidents compared to other Spanish drivers. This risk decreases as drivers gain experience.
Which Spanish cities have the best and worst drivers?
However, the study uncovered additional significant insights. UNESPA's report revealed which Spanish cities boast the best and worst driving conditions. The most pronounced disparities between young drivers and the general population emerged in the category of serious accidents. Provinces where young drivers experienced the fewest severe accidents included Segovia, Teruel, Huesca, Ávila, and Soria. Notably, Soria's drivers earned a top-notch rating of 10, signifying their exceptional driving skills among both young and all-age drivers in Spain. Conversely, the provinces with the least favourable driving conditions were Melilla, Las Palmas, Ceuta, Seville, and Cádiz.
For minor accidents or "metal hits," results among young drivers demonstrated more consistency, as these incidents are more commonplace and can happen at any time.
When it comes to gender disparities in this category, young women were found to excel in Huesca, Palencia, Soria, and Teruel, all earning a perfect score of 10. For young men, no province achieved the highest rating, but some did score 9.6 out of 10, including Palencia, Soria, and Teruel, indicating better driving performance by women in these areas.
In terms of accident data in Spain, the Ministry of the Interior reported 112 fatal accidents and 116 fatalities in July, reflecting a decrease of 14 deaths compared to July 2022. The highest daily fatality count occurred on Saturday, July 1, with nine deaths. In August, there were 111 fatal accidents resulting in 118 fatalities, marking 21 more deaths than the previous August.
The provisional data revealed that fatalities on highways and expressways increased during the summer, with 67 recorded deaths. Nevertheless, conventional roads continue to record the highest number of fatalities, accounting for three out of every four traffic accident-related deaths. Additionally, vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, experienced a slight increase in fatalities, with 98 casualties – five more than in 2022. This means that 42 percent of the summer's traffic accident-related deaths were among these vulnerable groups.
Source: El Espanol
