- So far this year, it has also been the concurrent factor in 22% of the accidents with deceased
- Until next Sunday, the Provincial Traffic Headquarters develops a special surveillance campaign in which the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard will control around 15,000 vehicles
October 8, 2024. Distracted driving caused twenty of the fifty-two fatal accidents recorded in urban and interurban roads of the Region of Murcia in 2023, which represents 38% of the total, a percentage that amounts to 22% so far this year, in which it has also been the concurrent factor in ten of the forty-six accidents with fatal victims, 22%.
The Provincial Traffic Chief, Virginia Jerez, has offered this data in the presentation of a new campaign of control and surveillance of distractions at the wheel that takes place until next Sunday and in which the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard plans to control around 15,000 vehicles.
Jerez has explained that, since 2017, distractions constitute in Spain the main risk factor in fatal accidents, with greater intensity both in relation to the total percentage of accidents and the total percentage of cases with deaths.
The Spanish Road Safety Strategy 2030, in accordance with the parameters of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, identifies as a strategic area “zero tolerance with the most risky behaviors” in line with the approach of the integrated insurance system.
The Strategy addresses the need for surveillance and control activities to reduce the impact of high-risk behaviors.
In this regard, it is a priority to increase the impact of surveillance through better planning and to enhance the surveillance of high-risk behaviors through the application of new technologies, in particular, the surveillance of mobile phone use.
“For all these reasons, the present control and surveillance campaign is essential to contribute to reducing the attitudes of users that involve high-risk behaviors, that put at risk the safety of circulation, put at risk their own life, and the life of other road users,” added the Provincial Traffic Chief.
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.
City councils adhering to the campaign
As usual in the campaigns carried out by the DGT, the collaboration of local police in the Region of Murcia is very important, since distraction controls at the wheel are also carried out in urban areas.
On this occasion, 31 municipalities have joined: Abanilla, Abarán, Alcantarilla, Alguazas, Alhama de Murcia, Archena, Beniel, Cieza, Campos del Río, Cartagena, Ceutí, Fortuna, Fuente Álamo, Jumilla, Calasparra, Las Torres de Cotillas, Librilla, Lorca, Lorquí, Los Alcázares, Mazarrón, Molina de Segura, Moratalla, Mula, Murcia, Pliego, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Sananuecla and Toecmera.