- From today until next Sunday the Provincial Traffic Headquarters develops a special surveillance and control campaign in collaboration with ASPAYM
- This is the concurrent factor in 48% of accidents with deaths recorded this year in interurban roads this year
October 9, 2023. Distracted driving has caused fourteen of the thirty-six fatal accidents recorded in urban and interurban roads of the Region of Murcia in 2023, which represents 39% of the total, the Government delegate indicated this morning in the presentation of a special campaign of surveillance and control of distractions at the wheel that takes place from today and until next Sunday in collaboration with ASPAYM, the Association of People with Spinal Injury and Other Physical Disabilities.
“This is a first-class security problem that we need to create the necessary awareness, because many people are so attached to mobile devices that they do not even ignore them while driving, which means in terms of safety,” added Jiménez.
The government delegate, accompanied by the provincial traffic chief, Virginia Jerez, has warned that distractions kill, and has highlighted that, in 48% of the fatal accidents recorded in 2023 in interurban roads of the Region of Murcia, distraction is present as a concurrent factor.
The Provincial Head of Traffic explained that, since 2017, distractions constitute in Spain the main risk factor in fatal accidents, and added that in a campaign of this nature carried out last year, 55% of the sanctions imposed was for the use of the mobile phone.
“It is clear that the greatest distraction and danger is in the use of the mobile phone, and of that 55% of those punished, 40% were for making manual use of it, that is, holding it with the hand, which is a sanction typified with six points on the driver’s license,” he said.
During this week, the Traffic Sector of the Civil Guard will mobilize 250 agents who will control around 15,000 vehicles on interurban roads. To these controls will be added those carried out by the Local Police in the following acceded municipalities: Abanilla, Alcantarilla, Alguazas, Alhama de Murcia, Beniel, Blanca, Bullas, Campos del Río, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cartagena, Cieza, Fortuna, Fuente Alamo, Las Torres de Cotillas, La Unión, Librilla, Lorca, Lorquí, Los Alcázares, Mazarrón, Molina de Segura, Moratalla, Murcia, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Santomera, Torre Pacheco, Totana.
Results of intercity distraction monitoring and control campaigns since 2019
| ATGC/ Interurban Roads | Controlled | Denounced | %Reported |
| 2022 | 15.101 | 267 | 1.77% |
| 2022 (Provincial) | 10.315 | 169 | 1.64% |
| 2021 | 13,560 | 362 | 2.67% |
| 2020 | 13,344 | 218 | 1.63% |
| 2019 | 14.212 | 318 | 2.24% |
Keys to avoid distractions:
Before taking the wheel: Sleep well, do not drink alcohol, do not make copious meals, take care of the intake of certain medicines.
On the way: Better not to smoke, if you feel drowsy, stop.
Maintain a pleasant temperature: 21 or 22 degrees is a advisable temperature.
Eye to the mobile: It is an important source of distractions. Use only for emergencies and with the car stopped.
Radio: Driving it distracts us, it is advisable to drive it directly from the steering wheel. Scheduling stations before the trip is a good option.
Traveling with GPS: Trying to schedule a route on the road is very dangerous. You have to do it first.
Dissuade drivers from calling or picking up the phone while driving.
Fatal accident in interurban roads of the Region of Murcia 2023
From January 1 to September 20, 2023, 29 people died on interurban roads in traffic accidents, two fewer than in 2022. In relation to last year, there have been 28% more casualties with victims, the number of people killed has decreased by 6%, as well as the number of people seriously injured, which has done so by 18%.
Accidents with victims and injuries in interurban roads 2021, 2022,2023
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Differences 2021/2023 | % | Differences 2022/2023 | % | |
| Accidents with victims | 364 | 380 | 486 | 122 | 34% | 106 | 28% |
| Deceased persons | 27 | 31 | 29 | 2 | 7% | -2 | -6% |
| Hospitalized people | 69 | 76 | 62 | -7 | -10% | -14 | -18% |
| Non-hospitalized persons | 559 | 570 | 702 | 143 | 26% | 132 | 23% |
Profile deceased 2023 (29 deceased)
- 83% are men
- 66% are drivers (19 out of 29) with an average age of 50 years.
- 72% of accidents occurred from Monday to Friday
- 41% of those killed are vulnerable
- 62% of accidents were during daytime hours
- 52% were on conventional roads
- Forty-eight per cent of the accidents were due to collision, 38 per cent to exit the road, 10 per cent to run over and 4 per cent to others.
- 36% did not use safety systems (belt/helmet)
- 56% of drivers tested were positive in the presence of toxins (9 out of 16)
- In 48% of fatal interurban accidents, distraction is present as a concurrent factor.