Majority of Palma accidents involve mopeds: police

The number of traffic accidents in Palma is continuing to rise at quite an alarming level, according to figures released yesterday by the city council. Overall last year there were 3'905 crashes, a three percent rise. Eleven people died and a further 300 were seriously injured. The majority of the accidents were caused by drivers not respecting the right of way, not paying enough attention and driving too close. Joan Feliu, chief of the municipal police said that many accidents were caused by people speaking on their mobile phones. Although this is illegal it is practice which is widespread. Of the victims 1'448 were drivers, 535 were passengers and 311 were pedestrians. The “word” driver includes those riding mopeds. Almost 60 percent of those people who were injured in crashes were riding or were passengers on mopeds or motorbikes. “Now that the hot weather is starting, the police will be especially vigilant to check that moped riders are wearing crash-helmets,” said Feliu. The accident blackspots in Palma are at the following places: the junction between the Paseo Mallorca and the Es Forti military base, the Plaza España (by the Eusebio Estada turn-off). Figures released yesterday showed that yesterday 2'190 drink-driving tests were carried out of which 400 were positive.