Vigo, February 17, 2025.- The deputy delegate of the Government in Pontevedra, Abel Losada, accompanied by the provincial director of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), Paula Yubero, and the captain of the Traffic Subsector of Pontevedra, Antonio Pérez Piteira, supervised today at AP-9 in Vigo the beginning of a new campaign of surveillance and control of trucks and buses, carried out in collaboration between the Provincial Directorate of the General Directorate of Traffic and the Civil Traffic Guard with the aim of strengthening road safety.
Losada stressed that accidents involving heavy vehicles often have more serious consequences, so “it is essential to raise awareness among drivers and ensure that these vehicles comply with all safety regulations to prevent accidents.”
Thus, the Civil Traffic Guard will intensify checks throughout the week to inspect key aspects such as the condition of the vehicles (tyres, suspension, ITV, etc.) driving times, the stowage of cargo and excess weight or the consumption of alcohol and drugs by drivers. The use of the safety belt and the documentation of drivers, vehicles and transporters will also be reviewed.
For the subdelegate this campaign is especially necessary in the province of Pontevedra, which records a high density of heavy traffic due to the presence of three ports of general interest of the State and constant circulation through high-capacity roads such as AP-9 and La-52.
“The transport of goods and passengers is fundamental to the economy of the province, but it is also a risk factor that requires extreme precautions and to ensure that all vehicles comply with safety requirements,” explained Losada. The subdelegate stressed that accidents involving heavy vehicles often have more serious consequences, so it is essential to carry out this type of campaigns to prevent accidents and raise awareness among drivers.
Balance of last campaign and mobile park situation
Abel Losada reported that the last campaign of control of trucks and buses carried out in 2023 - which could not be repeated in 2024 due to agricultural mobilizations - allowed a total of 407 trucks and 39 buses to be reviewed in the province of Pontevedra. As a result, 95 trucks and 13 buses were reported for various infractions, from technical deficiencies to non-compliances in driving times and tachograph manipulations.
He also explained that 44,053 trucks are currently registered in the province, of which 5,996 exceed 3.5 tons, as well as 1,143 buses.
2024
Not that this year, no deaths were recorded in accidents with trucks or buses on interurban roads of the province. However, since 2015 there have been 4 deaths in truck accidents and 7 in buses, which correspond to the tragic event of Cerpage-Cotobade on Christmas Eve 2022.
During 2024, there were 75 casualty accidents involving trucks and buses. Specifically, in trucks of less than 3,500 kg there were 14 accidents with victims and 1 deceased, in trucks of more than 3,500 kg, 53 accidents with victims and 3 deceased and in buses, 8 accidents with victims and no deceased.
ITV
Road safety also depends on the accommodated maintenance of the vehicles. During 2023, the following were detected: 2,023 trucks and 3 buses with expired ITV. 112 trucks and 1 bus with unfavorable ITV and 106 trucks with negative ITV.
The Government’s deputy delegate thanked the Civil Traffic Guard and the Provincial Traffic Directorate for their work in ensuring road safety. “Controls are an essential tool for reducing accidents and improving the safety of transport professionals and road users. On roads with heavy traffic as intense as ours, with ports and key road corridors, it is necessary to redouble efforts and continue moving forward in prevention”, concluded Losada.
