Neither on the highway nor in the city: these are the journeys that most concern the DGT because they account for almost 70% of fatal accidents.

Record numbers of long-distance journeys are expected on Spanish roads this summer. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced on Monday, during the presentation of the summer traffic plan, that more than 100 million long-distance journeys are expected during the months of July and August. This is an unprecedented figure—last year, the figure exceeded 90 million, but did not reach the 100 million mark—to which short journeys must be added.

Short journeys are precisely those that concern the DGT most. Most take place on conventional roads , with lower levels of safety, and in familiar environments, which fosters a false sense of control and a lack of attention behind the wheel. It is these types of journeys, common for a weekend getaway, a trip to a second home, or a family meal, where the highest number of fatal accidents occur.

Conventional roads—intercity roads with a single lane in each direction and no physical separation—remain the most dangerous in Spain. According to provisional data for 2024, 831 deaths were recorded on these types of roads last year, representing more than 70% of fatalities on intercity roads.

By comparison, motorways and dual carriageways, with greater capacity and safety, recorded 242 deaths, despite a slight increase compared to 2023. On urban roads, according to data from 2023—the most recent available—the number of deaths was 518.

The DGT warns that the risk on conventional roads is not only due to the physical conditions of the road, but also to human factors that aggravate accidents. Excessive speed , fatigue , distractions, and alcohol or drug use are the main causes behind most serious and fatal accidents on these types of roads. Road departures account for nearly 40% of fatal accidents, and distractions are the leading cause of accidents.

Within this context, the DGT is focusing on motorcyclists , a group that, although they represent less than 3% of road trips, accounts for 25% of fatalities. Last summer, 76 motorcyclist deaths were recorded, the highest figure in the last decade, with the majority of accidents on conventional roads occurring on weekends and linked to road exits.

The affected drivers typically have more than ten years of experience with the license and ride high-powered motorcycles . To reduce these figures, the Traffic Department is working closely with the industry and promoting awareness campaigns and specific safety measures for this group.

During the presentation of the special traffic plan for this summer, Grande-Marlaska highlighted that 243 fatalities were recorded on Spanish roads during the summer months of 2024, or nearly four deaths per day. "Too many," the Minister of the Interior stated.

He also insisted on the need to "speed up as much as possible" the processing of the reform of the Traffic Law to lower the maximum alcohol limit for drivers. "Alcohol tolerance must be zero, zero, zero . Not even one drink can justify driving. Alcohol must be kept out of the reach of any responsible person," said Grande-Marlaska.

Regarding specific traffic operations this summer, the DGT has planned reinforcements every weekend, with a special increase during the first days of each month and on specific holidays that trigger the so-called "exit and return operations." Thus, the first "exit operation" has been scheduled for Friday, July 4, to Sunday, July 6; "Operation Santiago" (Operation Santiago), from July 24 to 27, coinciding with the feast day of St. James the Apostle in several regions; "Operation August 1st", from August 1 to 3; "Operation August 15th", from August 14 to 17; and "Operation Return", from August 29 to 31.