Figures from the traffic directorate point to the Balearics having had the second highest number of road fatalities in Spain this summer (July and August). There were fourteen deaths, six more than in summer 2022, and the highest number since 2016 when there were 17. Madrid had the most fatalities.
The directorate suggests that the number may be linked to an increase in the number of road journeys. But it can't say for certain as it doesn't count journeys in either the Balearics or the Canaries. The directorate is currently looking at how to take better account of the nature of road travel in the two island regions. Compared with the mainland, journeys by road are not long.
In all, 36 people have died in road accidents in the Balearics so far this year. Thirteen of these have been where the vehicle has left the road. Seven people have died after having been run over and another seven in head-on collisions. Two cyclists have been killed.
Eighteen of the people who have lost their lives were aged between 45 and 64; five between the ages of 15 and 24, six aged 25 to 34. Twenty-eight were men.
There was particular concern about the number of road fatalities in Mallorca in July - nine, the highest number since 2012.