STATE HIGHWAY BLACKSPOTS

There is an above average risk of accidents on more than 1,800 kilometres of road making up the State Highway Network, according to the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE). The 119 danger spots represent 12.5 per cent of the total State road network, RACE said, of which 25 (384 kilometres), are particularly dangerous “black spots”.

By province, the RACE study found that Granada and Huesca had the highest proportions of higher than normal accident risk highways, with 67 and 48 per cent of their total respectively, followed by Alicante and Avila, both with 35 per cent.

Almería was included as one of the roads with the least level of risk, along with Asturias, Barcelona, Gerona, Guadalajara, La Rioja, Málaga, Murcia. Palencia, Salamanca and Tarragona.

On the 25 most dangerous stretches of highway there is an average of 28 fatal and 118 serious accidents every year. The study identified the most dangerous road of all as the N-435 in Huelva, between the kilometre marks 104.3 and 129.4. Between 2006 and 2008 there were 27 fatal and serious accidents on this part of the road.

The RACE study concentrated on highways used by an average of more than 2,000 vehicles a day.

CAR PURCHASE ASSISTANCE EXTENDED

The financial assistance plan for the purchase of new cars has been extended into 2010 under the same conditions as last year, Industry Minister Miguel Sebastián confirmed.

Under Plan 2000E, 2,000 euros is available for individuals buying the least contaminating cars, of which 500 euros comes from central Government, 1,000 euros from the vehicle manufacturer and 500 euros from autonomous communities which have signed up to the initiative. Buyers must also trade in a vehicle which is at least 10 years old.

The Interior Minister announced that this year the subsidy is guaranteed at the time of the sale, without waiting for the car registration and the processing of the assistance. There are also more car dealerships participating in the plan this year.

The plan has been credited with giving the national auto sector an important boost. In November 86,639 new cars were sold in Spain, 37.3 per cent more than in the same month of 2008 and a record increase. In the same month the previous year however, 125,206 new cars were driven off forecourts in this country, and 132,993 in November 2006. But the Industry Minister warned that once the 100 million euros made available for the extension of Plan 2000E runs out, the Government will not be giving more funding.

Sebastián also revealed the Government was allocating 1,000 million euros for projects related to the development and introduction of electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

LOWEST DEATH RATE FOR 45 YEARS

The number of people killed on Spanish roads in 2009 was the lowest for 45 years.

Interior Minister, Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, reported that 1,897 people died in traffic accidents last year, 13 per cent less than in 2008. This was the sixth consecutive year the highway mortality rate went down.

Rubalcaba attributed the fall in the number of deaths on the roads to safer driving practices. He said drivers today were “more prudent”, and drove “thinking about safety.”

The minister also highlighted the drop in the number of deaths among the 15-34 age group (64.6 per cent less), commenting this was an indication that young people “are more aware” of new highway safety regulations.

There was also a fall in the number of deaths in motorbike accidents in 2009, from 307 a year earlier to 283.

Rubulcaba said the measures brought into force to reduce accident rates would continue along the same line this year, addressing in particular the three “big dangers” on the road: speed, alcohol and seat belts.”