Claire Wilson
THE GUARDIA CIVIL has actioned the Spanish traffic department’s latest road safety initiative.
Trucks, vans and other commercial vehicles are being targeted to ensure they comply with road safety rules and regulations.
Freight transport accounts for around 33% of Spain’s road traffic, and around 15% of trucks on the road were involved in an accident last year, according to a statement from the DGT.
These accidents resulted in 463 deaths.
Distracted drivers are the main cause of such accidents, followed by contravention of the speed limit.
A significant 41 of the 147 truck drivers who lost their lives in accidents in 2012 were not wearing a seatbelt.
The Guardia Civil will be monitoring driving hours, truck weight, technical defects, load security, driver and vehicle documentation, the use of seatbelts and the use of drugs and alcohol.
The campaign coincides with an International Traffic Police initiative, which will see European road safety body Tipsol operate similar checks across 25 countries.
The next campaign, in March, will focus on seatbelts and child restraints, while April’s focus will be on speed.
Motorcyclists will be targeted in May, prior to a major push on drugs and alcohol checks in June and July.
