Traffic fatalities in the Balearic Islands in 2023: 41 deaths

Traffic fatalities in the Balearic Islands in 2023 were almost double the figures recorded in 2022. In total, 41 deaths were recorded on Balearic roads compared to 25 in 2022. This is reflected in the Report on fatal accidents on interurban roads in 2023, which was presented this Thursday in Madrid by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande Marlaska. The minister called on drivers to take responsibility, stressing that most accidents are avoidable. He stressed the importance of avoiding distractions, respecting traffic rules and using safety systems to reduce these tragic figures.

Deaths on Balearic roads

2014: 33.
2015: 39.
2016: 48.
2017: 48.
2018: 38.
2019: 25.
2020: 26.
2021: 35.
2022: 25.
2023: 41.

Deceased in Spain

The provisional balance sheet presented by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, highlights that, despite a 2% increase in long-distance journeys, a 1.7% increase in the number of vehicles and a 0.4% increase in the number of drivers in Spain last year, the number of fatalities remained stable compared to the previous year. There were 1,048 fatalities with 1,145 people killed, three fewer than in 2022, and 4,495 people injured and requiring hospitalisation.

Run-off-the-road remains the type of accident with the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 42% of the total. There was a 9% decrease in fatalities due to head-on collisions. The analysis also looked at the distribution of fatalities by type of road, type of crash, type of road user and other variables. It highlighted a 9% increase in vulnerable road users killed, mainly among motorcyclists.

As for the measures to be adopted in 2024, priority will be given to the safety of motorcyclists, off-road driving, distractions, drowsiness and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Specific measures were proposed, such as updating point recovery courses for motorcyclists, compulsory courses for drivers with a B licence who want to ride motorbikes, and the mandatory use of full-face helmets and approved gloves for motorcyclists on the road.

In addition, revisions to traffic regulations were announced, including the reform of the Road Traffic Regulations and the regulation of autonomous vehicles. The Minister of the Interior concluded by pledging to continue working on coordination between administrations and public-private collaboration to reduce road mortality figures.