Here’s the translation into American English:
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Nearly half of Spaniards, 49%, will choose to use their private cars for travel during the holidays, despite rising fuel prices and increasing environmental awareness. Additionally, 12% plan to rent a vehicle, reflecting the car’s dominance as a mode of transportation for the summer season. Only 44% of travelers will take a plane, and 15% will travel by train.
These figures emerge in a context where 78% of the population intends to travel this summer, with beaches being the most preferred destinations, followed by rural tourism and urban getaways.
However, the vehicle fleet in Spain presents a concerning reality. With over 38 million registered vehicles averaging 13.5 years old, many still lack advanced driver assistance technologies (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking or lane-keeping systems. Experts like Roberto Impero, CEO of SMA Road Safety, warn about the dangers of traveling in older cars on often poorly maintained roads.
In terms of infrastructure, 87% of the road network in the country consists of conventional roads, which are responsible for 70% of traffic fatalities. The lack of maintenance and proper signage on these roads creates constant hazards. Impero points out that there are hundreds of kilometers with serious safety deficiencies, exacerbating the situation.
From an economic perspective, road accidents generate enormous costs for the state. According to estimates from the European Commission, each traffic fatality can cost up to €1.8 million in social and economic terms. Investment in passive safety measures, such as guardrail terminals or impact attenuators, is seen as both an ethical and economic obligation. In 2023, the cost of traffic accidents in Spain exceeded €11 billion, representing 0.8% of the country’s GDP. The effective implementation of the European Vision Zero program, which aims for zero traffic fatalities by 2050, requires urgent and decisive action.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
