But the truth is a very different matter. A recent survey by the Council of Mallorca suggests that a whacking 81 percent of road journeys on local roads are made by local residents leaving many politicians with egg on their face.
The findings of this report will not come as a surprise for many in the cold light of day because key local roads are gridlocked during the winter months when there are few tourists but sometimes it is easier to blame non-residents for a failed traffic policy. The simple truth is that there are too many cars owned by local residents and this is leading to gridlock.
Perhaps now the local authorities are going to have to take difficult and controversial decisions to try and halt the road gridlock, one of the chief concerns of many local residents. Any attempt to build new roads would be blocked solidly by environmentalists and any effort to curb the enormous Mallorca car fleet would be robustly stalled by petrol heads.
The moral of the story is don´t jump to conclusions until you know the facts. Tourists are in the clear although they are slightly responsibile but not directly. Local residents spend part of what they earn from tourism buying new cars!
21 comments
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What a load of rubbish, there is no way that 120.000 plus rental cars can't contribute to traffic congestion.
Ulla JacksonEverything is relative. Somebody from rural Nebraska might find the traffic in Palma "horrific". But somebody from Rome would undoubtedly find it a doddle. Having said that, I'm no fan of Palma traffic, but it could be a lot worse. Hopefully, they'll eventually engineer ways to cope with it, but that takes time (and money). The free public transport should help some. When going to Palma, I use it rather than driving... Save's a lot of hassle... and the parking...
So everyone knew this except the government. curious
If it's not tourists who cause the queues in places like Deia and Cap Formentor in the summer, who is it?
So Mallorca is poor and people can't afford rent but there are "too many cars owned by local residents". Cars are expensive to own and run. So which is it, are they poor or not?
Perhaps it’s the anti-tourist ,anti-hire car demonstrators travelling in their cars to protest who are adding/causing grid lock!
Morgan WilliamsIn what way is Italy realated to traffic in Mallorca? Absolutely nothing! Let's keep to the topic and not involve any other countries bad driving. Thank you.
Bryan AdamsIn what way is Brazil related to traffic in Mallorca? Absolutely nothing!
Happy to hear this - we all want to be confirmed to be right all along. Common sense told us clearly what is now acknowledged in a report. Duh. Unfortunately no quick fix but perhaps the haters will in the get what they want - fewer tourists to the misery on the roads here. And less income for locals which makes them whine about how unaffordable everything is and (again) blame the foreigners.
I suspect none of you have ever driven in Rome.. or Italy in general. Traffic here is a breeze in general.