National
Thirty dead on Spanish roads so far this Easter
By m.p.
Mar 19, 2008 - 9:16 PM

The numbers of dead in the Traffic Authority’s Operación Salida, the Holy Week getaway where thousands drive out of the main cities for the Easter break, have now gone up to 30. There were 26 fatal accidents on Spanish roads between 3pm on Friday and 8 o’clock on Wednesday evening, which also saw nine people seriously hurt and another 14 with minor injuries. The figures are reported by Europa Press and come from the DGT Traffic Authority.

It compares with 48 deaths for the same period last year, where the total Semana Santa period saw 103 people lose their lives on the roads of the country last Easter.

The N-322 at Torrevieja. Photo – EFE.

There were up to 20 kilometres of tailbacks at exits from Madrid on Wednesday, with others also elsewhere in Spain: 13 kms from one of the exits from Granada, 17 on the A-8 in Cantabria, with accidents in Zaragoza and Cuenca causing more traffic jams. Seville saw hold-ups at two of its exits.

The DGT Traffic Authority is giving updates on the situation on the roads on their website, www.dgt.es, and by telephone on 900 123 505. The DGT Director, Pere Navarro, meanwhile announced changes to the appeals system for traffic fines on Wednesday, which could include notification of infractions by email. He said the idea is to make the system more flexible and efficient.

Information from the Industry Ministry shows that Easter is a costly affair for drivers this year – filling the tank with diesel will the set the car owner back 12.65 € more than it did for Holy Week last year. The news is better for petrol users, with a full tank costing 5.64 € more than in Easter 2007.