Fewer deaths on Spain's roads this Easter
National traffic department thanks drivers for responsible behaviour
A TOTAL of 27 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents in Spain over the Easter holiday period, according to figures published this week by the national traffic department (DGT).
This was four less than in the same period last year, despite the inclement weather around the country and with a 3.3% increase in the number of car journeys made.
A DGT spokesman explained that it was the second lowest number of fatalities since 1993.
He revealed that there were no fatal accidents in seven regions – Valencia, Murcia, Aragón, Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja and the Balearics.
“Even though this is still a high death toll – and there are still a lot of heartbroken families – the DGT would like to thank the vast majority of drivers who behaved in a responsible way at the wheel during the Easter period,” he stated.
“We will only manage to reduce the social scourge of traffic accidents with the help of all road users.”
Their special traffic operation ran from April 12 until midnight on Monday (April 22).
A total of 14.9 million ‘long’ car journeys were made during this period.
The spokesman noted that the worst day was Palm Sunday (April 14), when 14 people lost their lives on the roads.
The worst time period for fatal accidents was between 07.00 and 14.00 – a total of 13; compared with 11 between 20.00 and 03.00.
The spokesman noted that two of the victims in cars were not wearing seatbelts and the one cyclist who died was not wearing the compulsory helmet.
So far this year in Spain a total of 303 people have died in 280 road traffic accidents around the country, which is nine less than during the same period last year.