Lorraine Williamson
A total of 99 people lost their lives in road traffic accidents across Spain in May, according to data released by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). This figure represents eight more deaths than in the same month last year, at a time when long-distance travel rose by 3%.
The number of multi-fatality incidents also increased. Two crashes claimed three lives each, while another resulted in four deaths. Of the total fatalities, 57 were the result of vehicles running off the road—an increase of 23 compared to May 2024.
These single-vehicle accidents now account for more than half of all road deaths in Spain last month. In contrast, fatalities from head-on collisions and pedestrian impacts have slightly decreased.
Increase in deaths among car and truck users
The majority of those killed were in cars or trucks. Forty-nine car occupants died, seven more than last year. Truck-related deaths also rose by seven, with eight fatalities in May.
Vulnerable road users—motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians—saw a decline in deaths, down by five to 33. Van users recorded a similar drop, from eight to four fatalities year-on-year.
Advanced safety systems for motorcyclists in Spain
Safety devices still not used by many
Nineteen people who died were not using safety equipment at the time of the incident. Among them were 15 car users not wearing seatbelts. Two truck drivers and one van user also failed to use restraints. One motorcyclist died without wearing a helmet.
Andalucía sees highest rise in road deaths
Andalucía recorded the highest number of road deaths in May, with 27 fatalities. It also saw the biggest increase in road risk. Catalunya reported the most significant drop, with seven deaths—seven fewer than in May 2024.
The deadliest day of the month was Wednesday 28 May, when 10 people died. By contrast, two days in April saw no fatalities at all.
Weekend snapshot: 30 May to 1 June
Over the final weekend of May, six people died in five fatal crashes. All of the incidents occurred on interurban roads. Five involved cars, while one fatality was a motorcyclist.
The locations included Calella (Barcelona), Espinosa de los Monteros (Burgos), Hinojal (Cáceres), A Baña (A Coruña), and Zalamea la Real (Huelva). Each of the five crashes involved vehicles leaving the road.
So far in 2025, 432 people have died on Spanish roads. This is five fewer than in the same period last year, according to DGT figures.