Catalonia’s roads recorded no fatal accidents during the recent Easter holiday period, from Friday 27 March to Monday 6 April. This significant achievement occurred despite a 6% increase in car journeys across the region.

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The Catalan Traffic Service (Servei Català de Trànsit) confirmed the absence of fatalities. This marks a notable milestone for road safety in Catalonia. It is especially significant considering the high volume of interurban traffic. While no deaths occurred, authorities did report non-fatal incidents. For example, a head-on collision on the N-II in Sidamon required firefighters to rescue passengers.

The return operation alone saw approximately 590,000 vehicles on Catalonia’s major motorways between Sunday and Monday. However, traffic congestion was less severe than in previous years. Officials attributed this to a more staggered return of holidaymakers. A lack of major accidents or breakdowns also contributed. This reduced the likelihood of massive traffic jams.

Managing Holiday Traffic Flow

Authorities implemented measures to manage the increased traffic flow. They opened additional lanes on key routes. These included sections of the AP-7 between Vilafranca del Penedès and Molins de Rei. Similarly, the C-32 saw extra lanes between Sant Andreu de Llavaneres and Montgat. These interventions helped to alleviate pressure on the road network.

Persistent Congestion Points

Despite these efforts, some areas experienced notable queues. The AP-7 consistently saw the most significant congestion. Drivers faced delays in areas such as l’Ampolla, Roda de Berà, and the Penedès when travelling northbound. Southbound traffic also experienced queues near Maçanet de la Selva and Sant Celoni. These locations frequently become bottlenecks during peak travel times.

The success of zero fatalities highlights the effectiveness of current road safety campaigns and traffic management strategies. Authorities will likely analyse these results to inform future holiday traffic operations. This positive outcome provides a strong foundation for continued efforts to enhance road safety across Catalonia.

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Originally published by La Vanguardia Catalonia. Read original article.