Lorraine Williamson
Despite years of awareness campaigns and advances in vehicle safety, Spain’s roads remain deadly. The latest figures from the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) reveal that 114 people lost their lives in road accidents in September — thirteen more than in the same month last year. The rise comes even as overall road mobility increased by just 1.3%, highlighting that many of these tragedies were preventable.
Behind every statistic is a story of lives cut short — often due to simple lapses in caution. The DGT’s latest report paints a sobering picture: thirteen of those who died were not wearing safety devices, including ten car drivers and two lorry drivers without seatbelts, and one motorcyclist not wearing a helmet. These are deaths that could likely have been avoided with basic precautions.
While overall fatalities so far this year stand slightly lower than in 2024 — 861 deaths, down by 17 — the September figures have alarmed authorities. They show that too many drivers, passengers, and riders continue to underestimate the risks of complacency.
A surge in vulnerable road users
One of the most worrying findings concerns vulnerable road users. Forty-five of those who died in September were pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists — ten more than the same month last year. The steepest rise was among motorcyclists, with 34 deaths compared with 26 the previous year.
Spain’s growing love for two-wheeled mobility — from scooters to motorbikes — has added a new layer of risk, particularly on secondary roads, where fatal crashes have risen sharply. These routes accounted for 85 of the 114 deaths, twelve more than in 2024.
The dangers of familiar roads
Contrary to the assumption that motorways are the most dangerous, it’s the smaller, everyday roads — where drivers feel most at ease — that claim the most lives. The DGT reports a particular rise in head-on and side collisions, as well as accidents involving vehicles veering off the road. Together, these account for more than half of the fatalities recorded last month.
Officials warn that overconfidence on familiar routes often leads to distraction or excessive speed. A momentary lapse of attention can have irreversible consequences, as reflected in the three more than the previous year.
Age, geography, and a troubling pattern
Most victims were over the age of 45, with sixteen more fatalities in this group compared with 2024. Meanwhile, deaths among people aged 25 to 44 fell by fourteen, suggesting that older, more experienced drivers may also be taking unnecessary risks.
Geographically, Andalucia recorded the highest number of deaths (19), while Castilla y León showed the sharpest improvement, with ten fewer than last year. Other regions saw worrying increases: the Valencian Community jumped from five to sixteen deaths, and Catalonia from eight to fourteen.
A reminder that safety starts with us
Every figure in the DGT’s report points to the same conclusion: technology and enforcement alone cannot prevent road deaths if individuals continue to take risks. Whether failing to fasten a seatbelt, riding without a helmet, or losing focus for a few seconds, each choice can have fatal consequences.
Spain’s roads have become safer over the past two decades, but September’s figures are a stark reminder that progress is fragile. The DGT continues to call for greater awareness, respect for speed limits, and the consistent use of safety devices — not just to comply with the law, but to protect lives.
Changing habits to save lives
As traffic increases and new mobility forms emerge, road safety depends more than ever on shared responsibility. Small acts — buckling a seatbelt, staying alert, slowing down — could turn the next set of statistics into stories of lives saved rather than lost.