Cars on Their Roofs near Valldemossa: A Wake-Up Call for Greater Safety on Mountain Curves

Car on its roof in Valldemossa — 7:40 a.m. at a sharp hairpin

On Saturday morning, before the church tower had chimed twice on the plaza, a car lay on its roof on the narrow stretch of road to Valldemossa. The air smelled of sea and damp pine resin, fine sprays hung in the bends — not an ideal mix when taking a tight mountain hairpin in headlight beams. Locals heard the crash, then the typically hectic sounds of radios and saws from the emergency crews.

Quick help, one woman taken to hospital

Local police and firefighters arrived quickly, secured the scene and freed the driver. She received first aid on site and was then taken to hospital for further checks. According to current information, the injuries are not life-threatening. No other vehicle was involved — a single-vehicle accident that nevertheless raises the question of how well our mountain roads are actually protected. A neighbor handed the responders hot coffee — a small gesture but a great relief in that cool morning quiet.

Key question: driver error — or the system?

The important question here is not only "who was behind the wheel?" but: Does the incident point to structural defects on a route used daily by locals and visitors? The answer has consequences for traffic planning, tourism and the everyday safety of island residents.

At first glance, several factors seem plausible: the blinding darkness of the early hour, wet patches from sea mist or dew, narrow lanes without continuous guardrails, and drivers who underestimate the handling of a winding mountain road — especially if they are driving a rental car.

Less illuminated aspects of the debate

The public discussion quickly focuses on speed — rightfully so. But there are points that are often overlooked:

Road surfaces and maintenance: Some sections in the Serra de Tramuntana show signs of years of weathering. Fine salt deposits, resin and other residues can reduce grip — especially in bends, where even a small lateral force can make the difference.

Information gaps for tourists: Rental customers rarely receive concrete advice on how a winding mountain route feels different from the highway. A short information sheet when picking up the vehicle or a brief video on local driving practices could prevent misjudgments.

Old protective walls and guardrails: Many walls along the route are historic monuments or simple concrete structures that do not meet modern standards. They may look like part of the landscape but do not always provide sufficient protection in the event of a rollover.

Interesting: officially this road is not listed among the island's most dangerous — yet accidents continue to occur here, often at dusk.

What could help quickly — concrete proposals

We need measures on several time horizons. In the short term, without months of planning:

Immediate measures:

- Refreshing and clearly contrasting road markings; reflective bollards at critical hairpins.
- Temporary speed restrictions during morning and evening twilight and increased police presence at peak times.
- Cooperation with rental companies: information leaflets about mountain roads, tyre pressure and weather conditions when handing over vehicles.

Medium-term steps:

- Commissioning anti-skid treatments on heavily used bends and improved drainage so dew and spray run off more quickly.
- Technical upgrading of guardrails where protective walls are insufficient — with sensitive planning to preserve the landscape character.
- Multilingual awareness campaigns at tourist centres and digital information boards along the route.

Longer-term visions:

- Intelligent traffic monitoring that issues warnings on repeated speed violations or sends automated notices to road users.
- Seasonal control of through traffic in adverse conditions and the expansion of safe stopping points for panoramic views, so drivers do not stop in risky places.

The community matters — and a small scene that remains

What helped today was not just technology: it was the people on site who came to the scene, the firefighters with wet jackets, the neighbour with a blanket and that cup of coffee. Such moments show that safety issues here are not decided only by authorities but in everyday life: through attentiveness, neighbourliness and information sharing.

The warning remains concrete: those who know the mountain roads are aware of their pitfalls. For everyone else, a simple rule that is quietly repeated on many slopes applies: keep your eyes open, downshift, and don't take the hairpins too fast.

Update: Police are reviewing witness statements and possible video recordings. If evidence of systemic weaknesses emerges, the discussion about prompt technical improvements will gain momentum again. Until then: drive carefully — the Tramuntana forgives little.