DGT's Summer Operation: 100 million trips and checks every weekend

"Last summer, 243 fatalities were recorded, 3.9 deaths per day, too many," said Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska during the presentation of the Traffic campaign for this summer. The clear objective is to reduce this figure in a context marked by record-breaking journeys: up to 100 million long-distance journeys are expected between July and August, based on the upward trend in the first months of the year. In the summer of 2024, 97.7 million were recorded.

Furthermore, short-distance trips should be added, which are of greatest concern to the DGT, as they are mostly made on conventional roads, which are less safe and often in familiar surroundings, reducing attention. These routes account for between 70 and 75% of fatalities year after year.

Five special operations

Grande-Marlaska presented the campaign on the road and sent a message to the officers of the Civil Guard's Traffic Group, whom he called "angels of the road." Indeed, they will bear the brunt of the announced measures, which include increased surveillance during all summer weekends.

In addition to the special measures, these will be as follows: 1st Operation Exit: Friday, July 4-6. Operation Santiago: July 24-27. Operation August 1: August 1-3. Operation August 15: August 14-17. Operation Return: August 29-31.

Motorcycles are a concern

Regarding vehicles from abroad crossing Spain en route to their final destination, the so-called Operation Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar to North Africa stands out. The number of vehicles is expected to increase by 5%, compared to the 850,000 in 2024. Another 212,000 vehicles are expected to travel to Portugal.

Motorcyclists continue to be among the groups of greatest concern. They represent less than 3% of road trips, but account for one in four fatalities. Last summer, 76 motorcyclists died—more than one motorcyclist every day, the highest figure in the last ten years—primarily in accidents on conventional roads during the weekend and due to road departures, involving high-powered motorcycles whose drivers had held their license for more than ten years.

Tips

Road departures, which account for 40% of fatal accidents, distracted driving (the leading cause of accidents), hit-and-run accidents (9% of fatalities), alcohol and drug use, and the 45-54 age group—which recorded the highest number of accidents last summer—are all factors to consider.

To reduce accident rates, the DGT recommends planning trips carefully to avoid the traffic jams and hold-ups that are sure to occur; not exceeding speed limits; not using social media to report alcohol or drug tests; taking extra care on short trips, which account for the majority of fatal accidents in summer; and avoiding distractions while driving.