Traffic Victims to Receive Direct Assistance Hotline

Traffic accident victims will soon have a dedicated assistance hotline, similar to those available for victims of domestic violence. This initiative was announced on Tuesday by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Susana Crisóstomo, during the 20th Forum Against Road Violence organised by the Stop Accidents association, held at the Ministry of the Interior. The event was attended by various guests, including the Director General of Traffic, Pere Navarro.

The hotline has been a long-standing request from victim associations, who have been advocating for it for at least six years to support individuals involved in road accidents. Countries like France have already implemented such services. In Spain, nearly 1,200 people died in traffic accidents in 2024.

Crisóstomo stated that the hotline is still in the bidding process. "We still don't know which company will manage it as it is in the contracting phase," she explained, adding that the aim is to provide direct contact for traffic accident victims to receive comprehensive information and advice, covering legal, emotional, and financial aspects.

The hotline is a recurring demand from victim associations. David Landazábal, Vice President of Stop Accidents, recalled that they have been requesting it for at least six years. "We have been asking for it, and we always receive positive responses. Let's hope this time it's true and those words are not just empty promises," he said. Landazábal also took the opportunity to advocate for the creation of specialised road safety courts, similar to those for domestic violence.

Additionally, the Undersecretary of the Interior announced that by the end of the year, a new blood alcohol limit is expected to come into effect, aiming to reduce accidents involving alcohol consumption. The amendment had received 32 amendments from various parliamentary groups in Congress, and after reviewing them, "there is no outright opposition to the measure," Crisóstomo expressed with satisfaction.

The reform plans to lower the blood alcohol limit to 0.2 grams per litre of blood (0.10 mg/l in exhaled air) for all drivers, regardless of their experience or profession. Only two countries in the EU, Norway and Sweden, have similar limits (0.0).