The analysis of black spots on Spanish roads reveals that, despite the stability of the average danger index in recent years, there are still stretches where the risk of accidents multiplies alarmingly. According to a report by Associated European Motorists (AEA), released by The Country and based on the most recent data from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, on state roads there are 270 sections of one kilometer whose danger is at least ten times higher to the national average.
The AEA study covers the period 2019-2023 and concludes that the average danger index (IPM) of Spanish roads remains at 8.2, identical to that registered between 2014 and 2018. However, the organization warns that “there are still too many black spots on Spanish roads that need to be corrected.”
In the 270 sections identified As the most dangerous, there were 1,563 accidents and 2,169 victims during the five years analyzed, the majority of those affected being minor.
Most of these critical points are located on conventional roads, where accident rates continue to be a priority concern. The report details that the section with the highest danger index It is located at kilometer 243 of the N-4ain the province of Ciudad Real. There, the MPI exceeds the national average by 598 times. Although only one accident with victims was recorded in that period, the methodology used by the ministry also weights the average daily intensity of vehicles – in this case, 62 – and the annual indices, which explains the magnitude of the data.
The persistence of these dangerous stretches is attributed, in part, to the “lack of budgets”, which could delay the necessary interventions in the road infrastructure, explained the AEA, which has urged drivers to inform themselves about the areas of greatest risk before embarking on the trip to take extreme precautions.
If the absolute values are considered, the point with the highest number of accidents and victims corresponds to kilometer 0 of the A-77a highway in Alicantewhere 104 accidents and 150 victims were recorded. It is followed by kilometer 17 of the T-11 highway in Tarragona (90 accidents and 139 victims) and kilometer 12 of the A-55 highway in Mos, Pontevedra (54 accidents and 100 victims). However, this last section has experienced an improvement in its danger index compared to previous periods, which is why it is not among the 270 most dangerous.
Although toll highways are usually considered the safest infrastructures, in 2023 their MPI increased three tenths compared to 2022. During the 2019-2023 period, 100 highway sections were identified with rates twice the national average (4.3), in which 527 accidents and 881 victims occurred, of which 826 were slightly injured. The report highlights kilometer 901 of the AP-7 in Almería, which has the highest danger index (63.2) within this type of road.
Among the most problematic highway sections, kilometer 14 of the B-23 in Barcelona tops the listwith 43 accidents and 58 minor injuries. It is followed by kilometer 159 of the AP-9 in Pontevedra, where 20 accidents and 41 victims were recorded, of which 38 suffered minor injuries.
