The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) is stepping up its efforts to enhance road safety on Spain’s busiest routes frequented by motorcyclists. In a bid to curb the rising number of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists, the DGT is intensifying its monitoring and enforcement of critical driving rules.
Since the beginning of this year, a total of 199 motorcyclists have tragically lost their lives in traffic accidents. That marks an increase of 18 fatalities compared to the same period last year. Alarmingly, 77% of these accidents occurred on conventional roads. Of these, 94 fatalities resulted from single-vehicle accidents, often attributed to distractions or excessive speed.
This weekend marks the second in a series of intensified surveillance periods spanning from June to September. During these periods, officers from the Guardia Civil Traffic Division are concentrating their efforts on monitoring motorcyclists. Weekends see an increase in motorcycle journeys, transforming them into a recreational activity in their own right.
Motorcyclists constitute a particularly vulnerable demographic, drawing significant concern from the DGT. Notably, they are the only group experiencing a rise in fatality rates among all modes of transportation. The DGT urgently calls upon motorcycle riders to prioritise prudence, attentiveness, and adherence to traffic regulations while operating their vehicles.
Alarming motorcycle fatality statistics
So far this year, 199 motorcyclists have lost their lives on the roads, representing 26% of all fatalities on interurban roads. Analysing the data based on road type and day of the week reveals a dangerous pattern. The combination of motorcyclists on conventional roads during weekends presents a significantly elevated risk.
Of the 199 motorcyclist fatalities, 153 occurred on conventional roads, with 104 happening during weekends. Furthermore, accidents resulting from single-vehicle departures from the road continue to rise, with 94 fatalities recorded. This highlights the imperative of drawing the attention of motorcyclists to these accidents, as they typically involve no other vehicles and are often linked to driver distractions or inappropriate speeds.
Profile of deceased motorcyclists
The typical profile of a motorcyclist involved in a fatal accident is a male aged between 35 and 64 years, riding a high-powered motorcycle that is more than ten old. Vigilance remains crucial, alongside the dissemination of messages promoting caution and respect for traffic regulations, in order to deter unsafe behaviours on the road.
As the DGT continues to intensify its vigilance efforts, the hope is to reduce the number of tragic motorcycle accidents and create safer roads for all. Increased awareness and adherence to road safety measures are essential components of this mission.
