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Date Published: 17/09/2021
ARCHIVED - Almost half of all fatal traffic accidents in Murcia caused by distracted drivers
Distractions at the wheel have caused 15 deaths in Murcia so far this year
Recent data from the Traffic authorities in the Region of Murcia reveals that 44% of all fatal traffic accidents this year were caused by the driver being distracted at the wheel, and the figure rises to an alarming 80% if only July and August are taken into account.
Distractions at the wheel include smoking, changing the radio station, looking for a document in the glovebox and having animals or children in the backseat, but the main culprits are mobile phones, as the distractions that these devices can cause are almost endless.
In 2021 there have been 34 deaths in the Region of Murcia caused by traffic accidents (including both interurban and urban roads), of which 15 (44%) had distraction as the main cause. Meanwhile, in 2020, 37 deaths were registered, 13 of them due to distraction (35%); and in 2019 a total of 46 deceased were recorded, 19 of them due to distraction (41%).
In a recent campaign to prevent distractions at the wheel, the Traffic authorities have warned that driving while tired, while using certain medication or after a large meal can increase the chances of becoming distracted.
The temperature inside the vehicle has also been named as a trigger factor and the ideal temperature should be around 21 or 22 degrees.
The warnings to drive safely come as a series of new road rules are being introduced in Spain, from a reduction in motorway speed limits when overtaking to a new road sign that drivers must get to grips with for low-emissions zones in large cities.
Driving laws have also changed for British cars in Spain, which now need to show a UK sticker next to the licence plate instead of a GB sticker.
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