Editor TLN
A total of 225 people have died on Spanish roads during the summer of 2022 –in the months of July and August–, a figure that represents 10 more people than in 2019 –before the pandemic–, when 215 deaths were registered, and 34 more people than in 2021, with 191 deaths, reports Europa Press. The data was presented this Monday, September 5, by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, at a press conference from the headquarters of the General Directorate of Traffic, together with the director of this body, Pere Navarro.
In this way, the deceased have increased by 4.65 percent compared to 2019 and 17 percent compared to 2021. The number of displacements this summer has increased by 2.42 percent. “It is bad data. A single death on the road is a price that we cannot and should not assume”, the Minister of the Interior has sentenced.
Specifically, journeys have exceeded pre-pandemic levels this summer, registering a total of 93.4 million long-distance movements, which is 2.2 million more journeys than in 2019. The day with the highest number of journeys was the Friday, August 12, with 1.8 million, and the one with the least mobility on Saturday, July 9, with 1.2 million.
Likewise, during the months of July and August 2022, a total of 211 fatal accidents were registered, which is 13 more (7%) than in 2019, when 198 accidents with fatalities were registered.
By type of road, three out of every four deaths have taken place on conventional roads without separation of directions (173); and on highways and expressways there have been 52 deaths. By means of displacement, deaths have increased in all media, except motorcycle users, 58 deaths in 2022 by 64 in 2019; and van, 10 deaths in 2022 for 12 deaths in 2019.
In this sense, the profile of the deceased motorcyclist is that of a man between 35 and 44 years old, who has an accident on a weekend, on a conventional road, due to off-roading.
Regarding pedestrians, of the 19 deaths, 8 have occurred on motorways and dual carriageways and 11 on conventional roads. In addition, 15 of the deceased pedestrians were at night or in the twilight, of which 11 were not wearing reflective clothing.
The decrease in accidents among motorcyclists has meant that the number of vulnerable users who died out of the total is 41%, the lowest percentage in recent years.
This year Operation Crossing the Strait has also resumed, after two years of interruption due to the pandemic, and in the framework of which 624,662 vehicles have crossed Spain to and from Africa. In addition, another 270,760 vehicles crossed Spain to Portugal.
