Lorraine Williamson
The latest data from the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) revealed that September 2024 saw 101 fatalities from traffic accidents across Spain. This marks an increase of one fatality compared to the same period in 2023. A total of 88 fatal traffic accidents occurred during the month, in a context where mobility increased by 3.3% compared to September 2023, with 40.2 million long-distance journeys recorded.
One of the most notable trends in September was the significant rise in van-related fatalities. Eight people lost their lives in vans, an increase of eight compared to September 2023. Five of these incidents occurred on conventional roads.
On the other hand, vulnerable road users, which include motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians, saw a decrease in fatalities. In September 2024, 35 vulnerable users were killed, down from 43 in September 2023. Particularly, motorcyclist deaths dropped by five, from 31 in 2023 to 26 in 2024.
Fatalities by accident type
The type of accident also revealed changes. Fatalities from road departures decreased, with 42 recorded this September compared to 49 in the previous year. However, there was an increase in fatalities from collisions, with 14 more people killed in such accidents than in September 2023.
Non-use of safety measures
A concerning statistic is the number of victims who were not using the proper safety measures at the time of their accidents. Out of the 101 people who died in traffic accidents in September, 13 were not using seat belts or helmets. Specifically, nine car passengers and two van passengers were not wearing seat belts, while one cyclist and one motorcyclist were not wearing helmets at the time of their fatal accidents.
Also read: Over 800 people in Spain neglect to wear a seatbelt every day
Fatalities by region
Castilla y León recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 16 deaths, while La Rioja, Ceuta, and Melilla did not register any fatalities during September. Madrid saw an increase in traffic deaths, from five in 2023 to nine in 2024, while Andalucia registered a slight decrease, with 20 fatalities compared to 22 in 2023.
Year-to-date statistics
As of the end of September 2024, a total of 880 people have died on Spanish roads since the beginning of the year. This figure is 39 higher than the same period in 2023, continuing a worrying trend in traffic fatalities across the country.
This increase in fatalities, despite improvements in safety measures for vulnerable road users, highlights the need for continued efforts to enhance road safety across all categories of drivers and passengers.