Spaniards Drastically Reduce Serious Traffic Accidents with Red Line

(Patria) - The A-355 road, connecting Coín and Marbella in Spain, has been known for serious traffic accidents for years. In 2023 alone, 10 people died on this "road of fear" or "road of death".

To increase safety, local authorities have introduced a red line in the center of the road, which further emphasizes the existing solid white lines prohibiting overtaking, reports Index.

The red line, approximately 30 centimeters wide, is not an ordinary road marking. Its striking color, combined with audible signals, provides a clear visual and auditory warning to drivers, reducing the risk of crossing into the oncoming lane.

This measure is part of a broader package of safety improvements that includes the installation of speed monitoring cameras, improved traffic signaling, reflective markings, and possible widening of the roadway in certain sections.

Since the introduction of the red line, the number of serious accidents has significantly decreased, according to local media. Data from the Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) shows that such measures on regional and local roads reduce accidents by as much as 30%.

The success of this measure has attracted the attention of other regions that are considering its implementation on their roads.

Asturias, for example, has already applied this method on the Corredor del Nalón road (AS-117), which also has a long history of serious accidents. There, the red line is further combined with a speed limit and the installation of radars.

In 2023, more than 1,145 people died on Spanish roads, prompting authorities to take urgent measures to improve safety. This initiative is part of the Road Safety Strategy, which aims to halve the number of fatal accidents by the end of the decade.

The red line is not only effective in reducing speed but also in curbing dangerous overtaking. According to the DGT, this marking creates a psychological effect that encourages drivers to exercise additional caution.