Lorraine Williamson
The Spanish road authority has issued a stark warning as July 2025 closed with a grim statistic: 112 lives lost in traffic accidents—two more than the same month last year, despite continued efforts to improve road safety.
The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) says many of these fatalities could have been prevented, and the challenge now is to stop August from following the same fatal path.
The July figures land in the context of rising summer mobility, with over 48.5 million long-distance journeys recorded during the month—a 3% increase on 2024. But while mobility rises, so too does risk, especially when basic safety measures are ignored.
Seatbelts still ignored—with deadly consequences
Of the 112 people killed in July, 17 were not using any form of safety restraint at the time of the crash. That includes 13 car occupants, three van passengers, and one person in a lorry, who were all not wearing seatbelts. These are not rare oversights, but repeated and deadly mistakes.
Despite widespread public awareness campaigns and regulations, the DGT continues to report high rates of non-compliance with basic safety rules—seatbelts, helmets, and child restraints. In many cases, the agency says, proper use of these devices would have meant the difference between life and death.
A mixed picture: Rural roads deadlier, cities slightly safer
July saw a notable decline in deaths on motorways and dual carriageways. But that gain was more than offset by a rise in fatalities on conventional roads—often narrower, with less separation between lanes, and far more dangerous in terms of collision severity.
Andalucia saw the highest number of road deaths in July, with 24 lives lost—seven more than in the same month last year. In contrast, Castilla y León recorded a significant drop, with 10 fatalities, down from 17 in 2024.
Spain also recorded three zero-death days during July: Monday 14, Wednesday 16, and Monday 28. While rare, they highlight what’s possible with collective vigilance and responsible driving.
Fewer vulnerable road users lost, but car deaths up
The DGT noted a decline in fatalities among vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists—with 15 fewer deaths than in July 2024. However, this positive trend was overshadowed by an increase in car occupant deaths, which rose by 13 compared to the same month last year.
The deadliest day of the month was Sunday, 6 July, when 11 people lost their lives on Spanish roads. Front-on collisions and vehicles veering off the road were among the most frequent causes of death, both up compared to July 2024. However, lateral collisions, rear-end crashes, multi-vehicle pileups, and pedestrian fatalities were slightly down.
A cautious start to August
As the DGT launches its high-alert Operación Especial 1º de agosto, the challenge is clear: to avoid repeating the deadly trend of last summer, when 133 people died on Spanish roads in August 2024. The new month opens under heightened scrutiny, with increased patrols, speed checks, and safety campaigns underway.
Year-to-date figures show 632 people have died in traffic incidents so far in 2025. That´s 15 fewer than at this point in 2024. But authorities are cautious. The summer period remains the most dangerous stretch of the year, fuelled by mass travel, driver fatigue, and lapses in judgement that turn a holiday into heartbreak.
A shared responsibility
The DGT’s message remains consistent: safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether driving to the coast or returning from a weekend away, the risk is real, and the decisions made behind the wheel matter.
Seatbelts save lives. So does slowing down. And so does simply paying attention. Also keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front is imperative.
Three days without fatalities in a month prove it’s possible. The question is: can August do better?