Fewer accidents, more awareness: the challenge of road safety in the Basque Country

In 2024, 37 people died in road accidents in the Basque Country. This is the lowest figure in recent decades and yet it is a very high figure. "From 2,000 years to the present, we have gone from more than 200 victims a year to 37. This is a positive fact because mortality data are falling, but we still have a lot to do, "explains Estibaliz Olabarri, Director of Traffic of the Basque Government.

Education and awareness: key to decline

The President believes that the reduction is not only due to regulation, but also to education and awareness. 

"The compulsory use of seat belts, the wearing of helmets by motorcyclists, the driving licence by points, the speed reduction measures... has led topublic awareness and concern. For example, there were no deaths among bicycle users. So we might think that in the future there will be no deaths among motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.

In the same vein, Rosa Maria Trinidad of Stop Road Violence has stated that "we need to educate, raise awareness, carry out awareness-raising campaigns to care for all kinds of groups, work with children in schools... because that's investing in life." 

Current challenges: alcohol, speed and distractions

Despite the decline in numbers, there are still many risks . The authorities highlight three main factors: alcohol and drugs, inadequate speed and distractions, mainly due to the use of mobile phones.

"We don't need to use phones or navigators while driving. No call is so important as to put one's life or that of others at stake. It's everyone's responsibility to make roads a safe place," Trinidad said.

Youth responsibility and road education

The message must also influence the formation of new generations. "Young people are now much more aware than we had. They are going to drive differently because they have been taught a lot of values. The point is to be responsible: there are a lot of different types of drivers on the road that we walk side by side, and we all have the same goal: to walk safely," they explain. 

No casualties.

The Basque Country continues to move towards an ambitious goal: to avoid road deaths. Combining technology, regulation, education and public awareness is the formula that the authorities consider essential for further reducing accidents and protecting all road users. 

"The use of new technologies in road safety management is essential, but it must always be accompanied by responsibility and awareness," they conclude.