The Servei Català de Trànsit (SCT) presented, this Monday, January 15, an ambitious plan to reduce mortality on Catalan roads by more than 20% by 2026. The director of the entity, Ramon Lamiel, announced this initiative during the presentation of the 2023 road accident balance, which highlighted the 14.3% decrease in fatalities on interurban roads, although it did not reach the 15% objective of the 2021-2023 plan.
With a projected investment of 60 million euros in the next three years, the SCT plans to implement a Road Safety Plan for Catalonia 2024-2026 with four fundamental strategic lines. These include improvements in traffic management infrastructure, such as the installation of cameras with artificial intelligence (AI), a new communication strategy, continuous training for drivers and an innovative approach to accident control.
The proposal seeks to reinforce the main Catalan roads, such as the Pyrenean, transversal, diagonal and western axis. The installation of AI cameras, 50 in total, will serve to evaluate traffic, prevent congestion and improve security.
This initiative also contemplates the implementation of intelligent traffic management systems in La Jonquera and L’Aldea. Likewise, it is planned to expand the network of section radars and intelligent signage, alerting drivers to the presence of cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and animals.
The SCT will also promote a communicative and informative strategy, using voice to provide information inside the vehicle. It will focus on the continuous training of drivers, collaborating with driving schools and educational centers. In addition, a new accident control strategy will be established with mobile radars and the participation of specialized units of the Mossos d’Esquadra.
Regarding accidents, during 2023, 134 fatal accidents were recorded on Catalan roads, with 150 victims. The new strategy seeks to reduce accidents by 50% by 2030. The plan also addresses concerns about the increase in fatal motorcyclists, proposing measures such as mandatory courses for drivers of 125 displacement motorcycles with a B license.
The AP-7 remains the road with the most fatalities, although it shows a reduction of 37.5%. The most vulnerable groups, such as motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists, represent 46% of fatalities. Barcelona leads the decrease in deaths in 2023, with a 24% reduction compared to 2019.
