Distracted driving is a factor present in approximately 30% of fatal accidents. In light of this reality, the Jaén City Council is participating once again in the new campaign for control and surveillance of distracted driving promoted by the DGT.
According to DGT data, the improper use of mobile phones, GPS navigators, and other devices while driving are the main causes of distraction. Using a mobile phone while driving can multiply the risk of an accident by four, a risk level comparable to driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Councilor for Local Police and Transport, María del Carmen Angulo, highlighted the importance of this collaboration between the Jaén City Council and the DGT. "It is a very important joint effort, essential for reducing user behaviors that involve high-risk actions, as they compromise traffic safety and endanger both their lives and those of other road users," she stated.
The councilor thanked the work of the Jaén Local Police, which from October 5th to 11th will carry out traffic surveillance and control services on interurban roads alongside the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard.
In 2024, 1,785 fatalities were recorded on the country's roads, a 2% increase compared to 2019. Hospitalized injured persons amounted to 9,561 (an 11% increase), while non-hospitalized injured persons were 125,084 (a 4% decrease).
Distracted driving has remained the most frequent concurrent cause in traffic accidents since 2017. In 2024, distractions were present in 18% of accidents and were a concurrent factor in 30% of fatal accidents, accounting for 406 cases.
Dialing a phone number on a mobile device while driving can multiply the risk of a traffic accident by 12.2. Reading or writing messages on a mobile device can multiply this risk by 6.1. Performing this task on a tablet or paper support could multiply the risk by 9.9. Looking for or reaching for the mobile multiplies the risk by 4.8, and searching for or reaching for other objects in the vehicle by 9.1. Although these actions occupy minimal time during driving, their impact on road safety is very serious.
