The councillor for traffic, José Morales has released a report showing less vehicle accidents in Ronda, but with more injuries caused, leading to calls for the local police to be more vigilant and enforce traffic regulations more rigorously.
In 2008, the number of accidents reported totalled 257, whilst 2009 this dropped to 237, a 7.7% decrease, however the number of injuries from cuts and bruises to more serious injuries requiring hospitalisation increased from 47 to 61.
Cars and vans formed the bulk of accidents at 174 compared with 34 moped or motorbike accidents. Most of the reported accidents recorded damage to property (in most cases only another vehicle) but under Spanish law it is a requirement to report all accidents where a vehicle or other property is damaged by a driver.
The local police head of operations José Carrasco attributed the rise in injuries ignorance in the use of seat belts, with many Rondeños simply pulling the belt over their shoulder to give the appearance of wearing it, whilst not actually clicking the catch into position.
Accident hotspots in Ronda include Avenida de Málaga with 39 reported accidents, Calle Sevilla with 17, and Avenida Andalucía with 10 accidents. Distractions such as answering mobile phones and ignoring traffic signs were the major cause of driver accidents.
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