Virginia Barcones presents in Salamanca the campaign of Traffic surveillance of vulnerable users that takes place in Castilla y León

• During this week, surveillance on the conventional roads of Castilla y León will be intensified in order to raise awareness among vulnerable users (motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian drivers) and other drivers of the importance of proper behavior on the roads • During the year 2022 in Castilla y León 136 deaths were recorded, 29 of them (21%) were vulnerable users: 16 motorcyclists, ten pedestrians, two cyclists and one moped driver.

May 5, 2023.- During the next week, between Monday, May 8, and Sunday, May 14, the surveillance on the conventional roads of Castilla y León will be intensified in order to raise awareness among vulnerable users (drivers of motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians), and the other drivers, of the importance of proper behavior on the roads, as well as to control compliance with the most important rules that affect these users.

The delegate of the Government in Castilla y León, Virginia Barcones, has presented this campaign today, together with the subdelegate of the Government in Salamanca, Encarnación Pérez. It has been accompanied by the Autonomous Traffic Coordinator, Inmaculada Matías, and by the Lieutenant Colonel Chief of the Traffic Sector of the Civil Guard in Castilla y León, Francisco Iturralde.

The proper use of the roads by both vulnerable users and other drivers, together with the application of preventive factors and respect for traffic rules, are the best allies to avoid road accidents and their consequences.

Behaviours such as anti-regulatory overtaking, speeding, not wearing a helmet or drinking alcohol and drugs while driving will be monitored, as these are the main risk factors.

During the year 2022 in Castilla y León 136 deaths were recorded, 29 of them, 21%, were vulnerable users: 16 motorcycle users, ten pedestrians, two cyclists and one moped user.

From January 1 to May 3, 2023, 32 deaths were recorded, of which nine were vulnerable users, representing 28% of the total number of deaths.

By province: In Ávila, a motorcyclist and a pedestrian have died. In Burgos, two bikers. In León, two bikers and a cyclist. In Valladolid, a cyclist. And in Salamanca, a cyclist.

ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE

Users of motorcycles, mopeds, pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable with respect to the rest of the road users, so it is vitally important to comply with all the recommendations and rules that affect this group.

Not wearing a helmet increases the risk of head injury, the severity of injuries, length of hospital stay, and the likelihood of death from head injuries. Three out of four motorists die as a result of head injuries.

In addition to the helmet, it is very important to take into account the rest of the equipment, more if possible, at a time of the year when some users can be seen without any protection. Despite the heat, gloves are another of the basic elements in the equipment of motorcyclists, since they protect the hands in case of fall.

It is recalled that it is mandatory to wear a reflective garment or vest on a bicycle when travelling between sunset and sunrise, or in interior steps, tunnels and stretches of track with poor lighting.

Se recomienda llevar ropa de colores claros e incluir dispositivos retrorreflectantes como chaleco, brazalete, guantes, tiras en la mochila, etc.

And for pedestrians, as a general rule, outside an urban center and in those sections of town included in the development of a road that do not have space specially reserved for pedestrians, the circulation of these will be made by the left.

The movement of pedestrians will be done on the right when there are circumstances that justify it for reasons of greater security.