THOUGHTS ON RETURNING TO ACTIVITY AFTER THE PANDEMIC
As of yesterday, the DGT publishes that 240 people have died in mobility so far in 2020 compared to 303 last year. Statistically it is a significant change. It is clear that there has been a variation in the figures. There are fewer deaths in 2020 than in 2019. However, the change is not proportional to the decrease in the number of kilometers driven – which is reported to be around 70 to 80%. The number of people killed in 24 hours on roads “only” has dropped by 21% on roads.
As in other moments of counting victims, there are doubts about the solidity of the total information. We know that, for many months, the DGT only works with deceased within 24 hours (which is 20% less than those counted within 30 days) and that they forget – or postpone – including those deceased in urban areas – which means to their time a reduction of between 25 to 30% of the total. Thus we can venture that in the given figures 50% of the real figure is missing. This reflection has been made many times and despite this, work continues with unreal data.
What is clear after a first reading of the figures is that traffic containment has the expected result.
The theory says that with less mobility on the roads, the number of accidents and deaths, as indicated by the figures given, does not decrease proportionally. The data follows a curve with much more risk per kilometer driven at less traffic.
We ask ourselves, what can we expect when the lockdown is lifted? The prospect is not encouraging. It is expected that there will be little traffic, so, as we have seen, the risk will be greater, drivers after a month without moving and without testing the sensation of speed will be anxious, which will undoubtedly cause greater risk.
P(A)T suggests that the State – for the good of citizens and families – decree a month of containment: A month with a maximum speed of 70 km/h on all roads that do not have a lower local limit and 80 km /h on highway. In addition, it is recommended that the speed limit in urban areas be 30 km/h during one month and 40 km/h another month. The State also has to warn and alert drivers who are again novices.
We do not know if this measure would save 250 or 400 lives of Spanish citizens, but it is worth a try. In the face of major disasters (such as road aggressiveness) it is necessary to use forceful measures – something that has not been done in the matter of road safety – yet – in Spain. With the goal of Vision Zero for 2050 (which needs forceful action) it is time – for once – to act severely against speed freaks and those who drive without respect for the lives of others.
By Ole Thorson Jorgensen, Pat Apat Board Member
