Eight people fewer died on Catalonia's interurban road network in the first seven months of 2026 than in the same period last year, according to the Servei Català de Trànsit report. The 80 deaths recorded by 31 July occurred in 76 fatal crashes, compared with 88 deaths in 82 fatal crashes a year earlier.

For drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians travelling during the summer period, the Catalan Traffic Service, known as SCT, has urged maximum caution as both long- and short-distance journeys increase. It identified inappropriate speed, distraction, and alcohol or drug use as principal risks to avoid.

The figures are provisional and may change as crash records are finalised. They show a 21% reduction, or 21 fewer deaths, compared with the same period in 2019, the reference year used for road-safety reduction targets. Serious injuries fell by 15%, from 493 to 418.

Motorcyclists account for 32 deaths

Motorcyclists were the road-user group with the highest number of deaths, with 32 fatalities, five more than by the same point in 2025. They were among 46 vulnerable road users killed, 57.5% of the total.

  • 32 motorcyclists died.
  • 9 pedestrians died.
  • 5 cyclists died.

The SCT asked motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists to increase their awareness of risk and vulnerability, while calling on other road users to drive with respect and caution.

Men accounted for 68 of the 80 people killed, while 12 were women. July recorded 13 deaths, down from 18 in July 2025.

AP-7 records the highest death toll

Fatal crashes remained dispersed across the network, but the AP-7 recorded 11 deaths, the highest total of any route. The A-2 recorded four, while the N-340 and C-25 each recorded three.

Run-off-road crashes and head-on collisions were the most frequent fatal crash types, with 24 cases each. People aged 45 to 54 accounted for 18 deaths, the largest age group, while deaths among people over 65 rose from 12 to 19.

  • Barcelona administrative area recorded 34 deaths, down 13% on the previous year. Baix Llobregat recorded eight deaths.
  • Tarragona recorded 17 deaths, five fewer than in the same period of 2025. Tarragonès recorded five deaths.
  • Girona recorded 18 deaths, 10 more than a year earlier. La Selva recorded six deaths.
  • Lleida recorded 11 deaths, eight fewer than in 2025. La Noguera recorded four deaths.

The SCT's summer safety advice is to avoid inappropriate speed, distractions and alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel.

Primary sources: govern.cat, govern.cat, govern.cat. Reported by Arnau Raimundo, europapress.es, fmwripollet.cat, ACN, Mar Puerto, 3CatInfo, Ferran Vital, Gisela Revelles, Marta Romera, Germán González, admin, raw.githubusercontent.com.