2.3% of traffic violations committed in 2022 were due to distractions at the wheel

Three out of every 4 Spanish drivers acknowledge that they often drive distracted, and up to 5% admit to doing so “almost always”, according to the DGT

The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) is deploying this week in Balears its campaign against distractions at the wheel, which aims to reduce this risk factor in driving, which is responsible for 2.3% of the infringements registered during 2022 in the islands. In addition, in general, they are a concurrent factor in three out of 10 accidents with fatalities, according to data from 2021 for the whole of Spain.

According to the provincial head of Traffic in Balears, Francisca Ramis, the handling of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, while driving is one of the main distraction factors. A total of 3,275 offences were recorded in the islands last year for this reason. In addition, 901 infractions were recorded for skipping a ceda el paso or a stop and 394 for negligent driving, frequently associated with distractions at the wheel. “It is important to make drivers aware that when they look away from the road, even for a few seconds, valuable information is lost for their safety and that of other people on the same road, an imprudence that can cause serious consequences and loss of life,” Ramis warns.

Data from the DGT confirm the low consideration in Spain with regard to the risks of using the mobile during driving; three out of four drivers recognize that they often travel distracted, and up to 5% admit to doing so “almost always”. Distracted driving remains the first most frequent concurrent cause in traffic accidents since 2017.

For this campaign, as in previous editions, the DGT has the collaboration of the Association of Spinal Injuries and Major Disabled Persons (ASPAYM), in this work of awareness raising. For this purpose, this morning controls have been carried out in which ASPAYM volunteers who were victims of traffic accidents have accompanied traffic agents to explain their testimony.

The event was attended by the delegate of the Government in the Balearic Islands, Aina Calvo, and the chief commander of the Traffic Sector of the Civil Guard in the Balearic Islands, Manuel Aguilera. Calvo has highlighted the importance of this type of initiative, which serves to draw attention to “behaviors that must be avoided and, with it, prevent accidents and save lives on our roads.”