Traffic accidents in the city down by 22%

Measures and campaigns by Barcelona City Council and the City Police to promote safe mobility helped cut the number of traffic accidents in the city by 22% in 2022, compared to 2019, the last comparable year before the restrictions for the pandemic. The number of people sustaining serious injuries was also down by 13%, even though the city had to mourn 23 mortalities.

09/02/2023 14:54 h

Ajuntament de Barcelona

There were 7,007 traffic accidents with victims in the city in 2022, a drop of 22.15% compared to 2019. Motorists and pedestrians continue to be the most vulnerable groups. Out of 23 deaths, 15 were motorcyclists, one was a moped rider and one a car driver. Five pedestrians and one car passenger also lost their lives.

In terms of serious accidents producing mortalities or serious injuries, these numbered 195, representing a drop of 12.95% compared to 2019. This is the third lowest figure since 2004. The lowest figures came in 2020 and 2021, when mobility restrictions were in place owing to the pandemic. In all, 172 people sustained serious injuries last year, most of them motorcyclists (81) or pedestrians (18).

In terms of vehicles involved in traffic accidents, this figure dropped by 22.22%, from 17,388 in 2019 to 13,525 in 2022. The largest numbers were:

  • Cars: 4,748
  • Motorcycles: 4,299
  • Vans: 871
  • Bicycles: 793
  • PMVs with motors (electric scooters): 870
  • Mopeds: 470

The rise in the number of personal mobility vehicles (PMV) involved in traffic accidents stands out, with an increase of 78% compared to 2019 and accounting for 6.43% of all vehicles last year.

Distractions at the wheel still the main cause of accidents

Most accidents caused by motor vehicles are the result of distractions or recklessness when driving or riding, and not as a result of chance. The three main causes of accidents in 2022 were a lack of concentration at the wheel (1,625 cases), not respecting safety distances (1,031 cases) and improper turns (873). Other causes were jumping traffic lights (715), changing lane without due care (620), not respecting pedestrian crossings (226) or a lack of care when joining another road (233).

The main direct causes of accidents owing to carelessness among pedestrians continues to be not respecting traffic lights (184 cases) and crossing roads away from pedestrian crossings (171 cases).

As for the main indirect causes of traffic accidents, alcohol is again the main one and was a factor in 225 accidents. A total of 14,307 drivers were detected driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances last year, representing an average of 39 a day. The City Police also brought 50 criminal proceedings for reckless driving and 1,369 for driving without a licence.

Also worth noting are the 21,030 denouncements against people using personal mobility vehicles and circulating in violation of municipal regulations, for instance circulating dangerously (13,389) or circulating in inappropriate places (6,981).

 

 

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