Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s traffic authorities have launched a national debate on van safety after a sharp rise in accidents and an ageing fleet triggered alarm across the country. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) gathered industry experts, logistics leaders, and road-safety officials in Madrid this week to discuss urgent measures for a vehicle category long overlooked in policy but increasingly central to modern mobility.
DGT director Pere Navarro admitted that vans have remained in a “second tier” of regulation compared with cars and lorries. Unlike trucks, vans require no special licence or tachograph, yet their use has surged with e-commerce and last-mile delivery. “It is time to bring vans into the spotlight,” Navarro said, calling for a dedicated strategy to reduce casualties on Spain’s roads.
Rising casualties and an ageing fleet
The statistics are sobering. In 2024, 79 people died in van crashes on interurban roads—almost double the previous year—while serious injuries rose from 138 to 190. Deadly collisions increased on motorways, dual carriageways and rural roads, with half of urban victims being pedestrians, cyclists or other vulnerable users. Toxicology tests revealed that 41% of van drivers killed on the road had consumed alcohol, drugs or psychoactive medication.
Vehicle age is another major risk factor. Around 40% of Spain’s van fleet is more than 20 years old, and the average van involved in a fatal crash is nearly 17 years old. Experts warned that older models lack modern driver-assist technology and are more prone to mechanical failures such as worn tyres or faulty brakes.
Logistics boom and hidden pressures
The surge in online shopping has dramatically changed Spain’s streetscape. Van registrations have grown 23% in the past decade—outpacing private cars—and heavier models capable of carrying over a tonne have risen 73% since 2007. Many newer vans cover more than 28,000 kilometres a year, while those used for public freight can exceed 50,000.
Yet this boom brings new hazards. José Carlos Espeso of AECOC highlighted the “complex reality” of urban logistics, where low-emission zones, tight delivery windows and a lack of loading spaces create dangerous congestion. Around one in five trucks has already been replaced by vans, further crowding city centres. “Training and awareness are as important as tougher rules,” Espeso said, stressing the need for smarter logistics planning to cut risks.
Calls for fleet renewal and training
Industry leaders urged swift action. UNO logistics chief Rafael Aguilera noted that while vans have a relatively low fatality rate per kilometre compared with cars or motorbikes, ageing vehicles and driver fatigue amplify the dangers. He called for targeted incentives to replace older vans with models equipped with advanced driver-assist systems, alongside mandatory training for delivery drivers. “Fleet renewal is not only an environmental goal—it is, above all, a matter of public safety,” Aguilera said.
New control plan on the way
The Guardia Civil’s traffic division has unveiled a new Van Surveillance and Control Plan focusing on key risk factors: speeding, drug and alcohol use, poor load securing, driver distraction and technical defects. The initiative combines preventive checks with educational campaigns and tighter coordination between traffic police and logistics firms.
The DGT has also set up a working group to draft specific safety proposals, including improved communication with companies, urban mobility guidelines and preventive maintenance programmes. Officials say the final strategy will address the unique risks of delivery vans, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where pedestrian and cyclist traffic is highest.
Towards safer streets
As Spain’s economy relies ever more on rapid delivery and flexible transport, experts warn that policy must catch up with reality. Updating ageing fleets, enforcing regular checks and investing in driver training could save lives while keeping goods moving. The debate opened this week signals a shift from neglect to action—one that may reshape the country’s streets and safeguard all who share them.