Balearic Islands report more deadly accidents due to driver distraction

More deaths from distraction at the wheel: police step up checks

If you drive in the morning on the Ma-20 or stroll along the Paseo Marítimo in the evenings, you notice it: less distance, more phones. Current figures show that on the Balearic Islands 36 percent of all deadly traffic accidents are linked to driver distraction. This is well above the Spanish average—and enough reason for the authorities to act.

The traffic authority DGT and the Guardia Civil have launched a week of checks in Palma that runs until Sunday, October 12. Main goal: reduce those risky moments when a quick glance at the phone decides life and death. Practically: extra patrols at access roads, laser points on highways and stops at obvious violations – usually between 7:00 and 9:30 a.m. as well as in the evening hours.

Phone use remains the major factor

Those handling the phone underestimate how quickly a situation can escalate. On tight sections like Avenida Jaime III or the roundabout near Son Espases, two seconds of inattention are enough. Two seconds in which a pedestrian or another car is in danger. The officers emphasize: It is not just about fines, but about prevention. Still, fines are issued when violations are detected.

An older driver I saw today at the checkpoint waved apologetically: "I was just briefly looking at the address." Typical, I thought. Many people believe a message on the side is harmless — it is not.

What drivers should know now

Short and sweet: Hands-free devices are allowed; taking the phone in hand is not. Violations carry heavy penalties and points deduction. Authorities advise setting navigation before starting, putting calls on speaker, or placing the device completely out of reach.

On the Balearic Islands, the numbers are moving in a direction nobody wants. Authorities hope the control action in the coming days will not only shock but also lead to long-term changes in behavior. Will it work? Will people notice on the next trip—or, fortunately, not notice, because everyone is looking at the road rather than the display.

If you see or experience something: Report critical situations to the Guardia Civil or the local police. Sometimes a reminder helps more than a fine.