Pedro Blanco presents the Shock Plan of the DGT in Galicia that will focus on alcohol, speed and the culture of prevention to tackle the “lack of solidarity” on the roads

The government delegate in Galicia, Pedro Blanco, presented today in A Coruña the impact that the Shock Plan launched by the DGT will have in Galicia to tackle the increase in fatal traffic accidents on the roads. Pedro Blanco described as “unacceptable” the accident balance in Galicia, which speaks of an increase in the numbers of people killed on the roads of the Community, especially in the group of vulnerable users (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists). “Between January and April of this year, the roads of Galicia registered 37 people who died, of which 40% were part of the vulnerable group”.

Behind this reality, the delegate pointed out that a “relaxation is detected in the security measures, such as the use of the belt; the increase in speed and, above all, the consumption of alcohol”. He also warned of the “lack of solidarity” on the roads, promoting carelessness that is the cause of many of these accidents: “Unfortunately there are many people who when they take a car, a truck or a van already know that they are going to break the law. And, worse still, they promote this awareness and protect the other offenders by warning of the presence of radars and controls.”

The Government delegate explained these measures in an information event held in the screen room of the Northwest Traffic Management Center, which was attended by the Government’s subdelegate in A Coruña, María Rivas; the coordinator of the DGT in Galicia, Victoria Gómez; the Chief General of the Civil Guard of Galicia, Miguel González; the Lieutenant Colonel Chief of the Traffic Sector of Galicia of the Civil Guard, Antonio Hidalgo; and the Head of this Northwest Traffic Management Center, Ramiro Martínez.

Detail of measures

The delegate reviewed the measures that are already being implemented in Galicia, and which are included in four major packages: more awareness, with more attention to vulnerable groups; improvements in control and surveillance measures; reformulation of alcohol and drug controls and technical improvements.

1. Promotion of preventive culture. The delegate recalled the work they are doing in the various control and awareness campaigns and the initiative that promotes road education in schools through the School Safety Master Plan. In the sensitization he made a call to the motorcyclists, one of the most vulnerable groups on the roads. “From this month of May, traffic agents will give them roadside tips and information to raise awareness about their vulnerability,” said Pedro Blanco. Also with regard to motorcyclists, the delegate said that the Civil Guard “will operate with the support of two motorcycles camouflaged with agents dressed in plain clothes”, which are already in Galicia.
2. Improvement of control and surveillance measures. This second package of measures includes the installation of nine more radars in Galicia, and the reactivation of the Pegasus surveillance helicopter, based in Santiago. The nine radars (five fixed and four section radars) will be placed in areas where more fatal accidents are detected.
   • 3 in the province of A Coruña (one section and two fixed);
   • 1 he did in the province of Lugo;
   • 1 radar did and another one of stretch in the province of Ourense and
   • 2 section radars and 1 radar made on the roads of Pontevedra.
   The delegate said that work is already being done on the installation works prior to the placement of the radars.

3. Reformulation of blood glucose controls, increase of controls and incorporation of dynamic controls. The delegate warned about the reality detected by the Civil Guard, which points out that in Galicia “increasingly, there are people who drink and, consciously, take the car”. He gave as an example of this fact that in 2023 alcohol was present in 4 out of 10 fatal accidents in Galicia, to which it can be added that “the Civil Traffic Guard detects every month more than 1,000 people driving after consuming alcohol”.

   The measures under this heading include the increase in the controls of alcolemia that, until the end of the year, will exceed 22,500 in Galicia. In addition, these alcohol and drug controls will be reconsidered, to provide them with more mobility and impact to avoid ads by social networks and messaging channels. Thus, “where previously there were one hour controls, now there will be three of 20 minutes and in three different locations, which will be areas of great movement and, above all, on weekends”, in the words of the government delegate.

   Pedro Blanco added that the Civil Guard will put in place a new type of dynamic control, which escapes the warning and alert systems. This control means that, “at any time, via or under any circumstances, a Traffic Patrol will perform alcohol and drug checks on drivers or drivers who are stopped.”

4. Technical improvements. The latest package of measures is aimed at improving facilities and equipment, among which the Intelligent Transport Systems stand out, which will be intensified: “I’m talking about the variable information panels, the use of cameras and the tracking through the screens of the Traffic Control Center.” In addition, the DGT had begun this month of May to expand the Northwest Traffic Management Center, which will adapt to the new equipment and will have a crisis room, among other improvements.