A total of 42 people lost their lives last year in traffic accidents on the roads of Balears

In 2024 there have been 36 fatal accidents, 2 fewer than in 2023; motorcyclists were the most affected group

A total of 42 people - one more than in 2023 - lost their lives last year in the 36 fatal traffic accidents that occurred on the roads of Balears, according to provisional figures from the Ministry of the Interior and the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), relating only to the deaths that occurred within 24 hours of the accident and only on interurban roads. Overall, the accident rate fell by 5%, with two fatalities less than in 2023, even though the same period saw an increase in the circulation of vehicles and people; in particular, at the end of last year there were 7,058 more drivers on the islands and the resident and visitor population increased again.

The group of special vulnerability is made up of pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The latter accounted for 35.7% of the total number of road accident fatalities in 2024, although the incidence compared to the previous year has fallen significantly, by about 5.8%. The statistics show a balance of 3 pedestrians and 3 cyclists who died - 2 less than in 2023, in the last case.

On the contrary, the percentage of drivers of four-wheeled vehicles who died in this type of accident in Balears, which constitute a third of the global number of fatalities in the archipelago, increased by almost 4%. In this type of accident, in addition, a total of 7 passengers died. Road exits represent the most frequent typology - 47.6% of cases - and their incidence has increased by more than 6% in the last year. Among the causes, the most concurrent factors are inadequate speed, traffic code violations and distractions. In fact, in 2024, the number of people killed in an accident who did not use the corresponding safety accessories increased by 11.6%; in absolute terms, there were 2 out of 10 fatalities.

Measures against accidentality

The provincial head of the DGT, Francisca Ramis, insisted on Monday “on the vital importance of avoiding distraction at the wheel, respecting the rules and putting on a belt or helmet, because they are habits that truly save lives”. The DGT will maintain all current prevention measures to prevent and avoid road accidents and, in addition, speed control will soon be strengthened with new fixed and section radars.