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2024 has been a tragic year for road safety on Menorca, with 13 fatalities recorded on the island’s roads.
To understand the reasons behind this alarming trend, the GOB has examined the latest statistics published by the DGT (Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic) for 2023. The report includes data on all types of accidents, categorized by severity, across the country’s roads.
Roads with the most accidents in the Balearic Islands
Statistically, most accidents occur on urban roads. However, the most severe incidents—those involving serious injuries or fatalities (7 out of every 10 deaths)—happen on interurban roads, where vehicles typically travel at higher speeds.
The DGT data identifies the roads with the highest number of accidents. In 2023, the motorways and highways of Mallorca and Ibiza topped the list, with Menorca’s main road ranking tenth, recording 25 accidents. The 10 most accident-prone roads in the Balearic Islands in 2023 were:
- Ma-19, the Llevant or Llucmajor motorway: 80 accidents.
- Ma-13, the motorway from Palma to Sa Pobla: 79 accidents.
- Ma-20, the Via de Cintura motorway: 77 accidents.
- Ma-15, the Manacor highway: 55 accidents.
- Ei-600, the motorway from Ibiza to Sant Antoni: 48 accidents.
- Ei-700, the road from Ibiza to Sant Josep: 44 accidents.
- Ma-1, the highway from Palma to Andratx: 40 accidents.
- Ei-300, the road from Santa Eulària to Portinatx: 37 accidents.
- Ma-10, the Serra de Tramuntana road: 28 accidents.
- Me-1, Menorca’s main road: 25 accidents.
Increase in fatal accidents in 2023
Fatal road accidents in the Balearic Islands increased by 65% in 2023 compared to the previous year, rising from 29 to 48 deaths. A fatality is attributed to a road accident if the person dies within 30 days of the incident. Two of these deaths occurred on Menorca, following two years without any fatalities.
The breakdown of fatalities by island was as follows:
- Mallorca: 32
- Ibiza: 10
- Formentera: 4
- Menorca: 2
On Menorca, accidents were spread across various roads. In 2023, 25 accidents occurred on the island’s main road (between Maó and Ciutadella), and an additional 69 accidents were recorded on other roads. The fatalities in 2024 were distributed as follows:
- 4 on the main road
- 1 on the Sant Climent road
- 1 on the Fornells road
- 1 on the Cala Galdana road
- 6 on the airport road
Trends: clear days and straight roads
Accidents are typically influenced by three variables: the road, the vehicle, and the driver. In most cases, human error is the primary cause.
When road conditions are the issue, accident hotspots tend to emerge. However, this has not been the case in Menorca for years.
Interestingly, the report indicates that almost all accidents in 2023 occurred in good visibility conditions and on well-maintained roads.
While medical emergencies among drivers could be a factor, traffic authorities increasingly warn about distractions caused by mobile phones. Further investigation is needed to identify additional factors contributing to this rise in accidents under optimal conditions, with the aim of preventing further tragedies.
Overcrowding and increased traffic
The growing number of visitors to Menorca in recent years has led to a significant increase in private vehicles. During the summer months, some roads become saturated, statistically increasing the likelihood of accidents.
However, experience from Mallorca and Ibiza, where roads have been widened, suggests that expanding infrastructure does not necessarily reduce accidents. As a result, these islands are now introducing mechanisms to limit the number of tourist vehicles, similar to those already in place on Formentera.
Since 2023, Menorca has had the legal framework to implement similar measures. A study funded by the Consell Insular revealed an excess of vehicles during the summer: 30% more in July and August and 20% more in June and September.
Despite these findings, the current local government has yet to take decisive action to address this issue on the island.
