"It's real nonsense." This is the assessment that the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, of the increase in motorists killed on roads last year: 299 deaths, 45 more than in 2022. In view of this data, the head of the Interior has announced that he is preparing a series of measures for the group of motorcyclists, "one of the most worrying."
The General Directorate of Traffic will update the content of the points recovery courses to incorporate a specific profile for motorists who have lost their points balance. Safe and efficient driving courses will be scheduled for them.
Also, as a novel measure, a mandatory course will be established for B permit drivers with three years of experience who want to drive motorcycles of up to 125 cubic centimeters. In addition, a full-face or modular helmet and approved gloves will be mandatory for motorcyclists on the road.
The year 2023 has ended with 1,145 deaths on Spanish roads, which represents the same number of deaths in traffic accidents as in 2022. At the press conference held at the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) this Thursday, the minister has noted that in 2023 there were 1,048 fatal accidents on Spanish roads, in which 1,145 people died and another 4,495 were seriously injured.
"We have had more displacements than in 2022 and there have been no more deaths than in 2022. These are bad data, as they are every year, but it is necessary to contextualize them to adopt the necessary measures and correct them as much as possible," remarked the head of Inside.
Marlaksa has highlighted that 2023 is the highest year of road mobility since 2014 but it is the fifth lowest in accidents since that period. "The majority of viable accidents are avoidable", she has stated.
