The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) and the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard in Galicia begin tomorrow, May 15, a surveillance and control campaign on the collective of motorcycles on the Galician roads. The initiative, which will last until Sunday 18, has as its peculiarity that it will be carried out exclusively in Galicia on the initiative of the Provincial Traffic Headquarters and the Traffic Sector of Galicia of the Civil Guard.
This programming responds to the increase recorded in recent years in the number of motorcyclists killed in road accidents in Galicia and also to the beginning of the period of the year in which the use of this type of vehicles is increased due to the good weather. According to data from the DGT, one in four road accident fatalities in 2024 were motorcyclists and this percentage barely decreased so far in 2025. Last year 22 motorcyclists died in traffic accidents on Galician roads and until April 30 of this year there are 4 people who died in this type of accident.
In addition, the Provincial Traffic Headquarters warn that this number records progressive increases in recent years. In fact, in 2024, there was a 57% increase in the number of motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents compared to the previous year.
At the same time, an increase in damages and the severity of accidents involving motorcycles is detected, up to 224 in Galicia last year that recorded some personal damage (minor or serious injured persons or deceased persons).
Control and awareness
The campaign pursues a twofold objective: to control and raise awareness. With respect to the first, compliance with the rules by the group of motorcyclists will be monitored, since it was also found, among others, that the excesses of speed between the riders and the motorcyclists rebound.
With respect to awareness, the campaign wants to raise awareness among the bikers about their vulnerability on the road. In this line, the need to become visible and use specific protection systems, such as helmets, as well as appropriate clothing (protective footwear, gloves, jumpsuit, protective jacket, ...) essential for greater safety of the driver or driver will be stressed.
Together with this priority audience, the campaign adds a second level of awareness that is to raise awareness among other road users about the high risk exposure of people who drive motorcycles and the need to maintain the level of constant alert when they coincide with these vehicles on their trip. In this case, the recommendations focus on: the need to reduce or moderate the speed; maintain the safety distance; pay special attention to crosses, turns or passage preferences; look through the rear-view mirrors to confirm the possible presence of motorcycles; and use the flashing lights sufficiently in advance to signal the manoeuvres.