In 2022, the Barcelona Urban Police intervened in a total of 7,202 traffic accidents with victims - including deaths and injuries - in Barcelona, which is 22.15% less than in 2019 (the last year of normality before the pandemic) and 2.78% more compared to 2021 (still marked by mobility restrictions due to the health emergency). In these accidents, 23 people lost their lives, while 8,870 were slightly injured and 170 seriously injured.
The districts that recorded the highest road accidents were Eixample, Sant Martí and Sants. According to data collected by the City Council, there are 34 risk areas that accounted for a total of 418 accidents with victims. These black dots correspond to places in which at least ten accidents with injuries less than 15 meters from each other were recorded during a period of 12 months. Below, we indicate which were the 14 with the worst figures.
The Urban Police is analyzing the causes of the high concentration of accidents in these locations with the aim of being able to propose improvements and apply measures that increase safety.
Analyzing the total number of accidents registered last year in Barcelona, we can affirm that the majority were due to reach (1,798). This type of accident occurs when a vehicle collides with the rear of the front vehicle; It usually happens when the safety distance is not respected, driving too fast or there is driver distraction. The second most common type of accident corresponds to lateral accidents (1,740), recorded during a change of lane and direction; while the third are the fronto laterals (1,289), related to the preference of passage in crossovers, yields or stops. The next most common types of accidents correspond to accidents (930) and falls from two-wheeled vehicles (632).
Based on the information provided by the Barcelona City Council, driver distractions are the leading cause of accidents in motor vehicles. Specifically, 1,625 accidents occurred for this reason. They are followed in this order by not respecting the safety distance (1,031), turning improperly or without caution (873), jumping a traffic light (716), changing lanes negligently (620), disobeying traffic signs (506), failing to respect pedestrian crossing (226), entering traffic without caution (233), improperly overtaking (300), performing unsafe driving maneuvers (128), invading the opposite lane (41), mechanical problem (13).
Beyond these causes, other concurrent factors have also been determined, such as driving the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving at excessive speed, inclement weather, poor condition of the road or signage and the presence of animals in route.
Aware of the problem for road safety of having drunk or drugged people in circulation, the Urban Police carry out specific controls. Thus, in 2022 they identified 14,307 drivers who were behind the wheel or handlebars of a vehicle testing positive for alcohol or drug detection. This figure represents an average of 39 per day.
The Barcelona City Council road accident report also addresses the problems generated by the new personal mobility vehicles (VMP). Given the proliferation of these means of urban transport, which in some cases compromises coexistence with other road users, the Urban Guard has increased control of the correct use and circulation of cycles, bicycles and especially electric scooters. Thus, it imposed 21,030 sanctions on VMP users, the vast majority (13,389) for carrying out risky circulation. It must be remembered that scooters, like any motor vehicle, must comply with traffic regulations and are prohibited from traveling on sidewalks or pedestrian areas.
This February, the council is also expected to approve the modification of the Pedestrian and Vehicle Circulation Ordinance to adapt it to state regulations and make it mandatory for VMP users to wear helmets.
