The provisional road accident balance for the summer months was presented on Monday by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, alongside the Director-General for Traffic, Pere Navarro, and the Undersecretary for the Ministry of the Interior, Susana Crisostomo.
In addition to the fatalities, 926 people sustained serious injuries that required hospitalisation during July and August. This reflects a 10 per cent reduction compared to the same period last year. The figures occurred during a period of increased mobility, with long-distance journeys rising by 1.5 per cent to exceed 102 million movements.
Describing the period as a particularly poor summer, the Interior Minister noted that four people died in traffic accidents each day. However, he highlighted a breakdown in the upward trend for motorcycling fatalities, with 54 motorcyclists killed, which is 18 fewer than in 2025.
The minister described it as inconceivable that one in five of those killed in traffic accidents was not wearing a seatbelt. A total of 25 fatal victims travelling in cars or vans were not using the safety device. He stressed that failing to wear a seatbelt doubles the risk of death, while alcohol consumption triples it.
In response, the ministry intends to promote a bill during the current parliamentary session to lower the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers to 0.2 grams per litre. The minister expressed confidence that political parties would support the approval of a law solely aimed at saving lives.
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