Emergency services attended the scene and took the six injured to different hospitals. At least three of them, according to the Guardia Civil, have suffered serious injuries. Agents from the Traffic Department of the Guardia Civil have taken charge of the investigation and are trying to determine the circumstances in which the accident occurred. The 89-year-old driver has tested negative for alcohol at the scene of the accident.
Earlier this month, The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) announced a series of measures that will come into force this year, aimed at improving road safety for cyclists, a particularly vulnerable group on Spanish roads. One of the main new features is a change in overtaking rules. From now on, drivers will have to reduce their speed by 20 km/h below the permitted limit when overtaking a cyclist.
Thus, the obligation to leave a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 metres during the manoeuvre is maintained. This measure has generated debate among drivers, who argue that slowing down could increase the risks of overtaking in the oncoming lane. However, the DGT defends its implementation as essential to protect cyclists.
As for the use of helmets, they are compulsory without exception for all cyclists. Previously, there were certain situations in which it was not compulsory, but with the new regulation, helmets must always be worn. In addition, in low visibility conditions, cyclists must wear reflective or luminous accessories that allow them to be seen from at least 150 metres away.
The changes also affect the urban environment. Drivers will have to keep a minimum distance of 5 metres when following a cyclist, in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Cyclists will have more flexibility in dense traffic situations, as they will be allowed to overtake vehicles on both sides. Also, on single-lane streets with a speed limit of 30 km/h, they will be able to ride in the opposite direction.
These measures aim to reduce the accident rate among cyclists, especially after registering 90 deaths in 2023 due to traffic accidents, an increase over the previous year. The DGT insists on the importance of coexistence and mutual respect among all road users to achieve safer and more efficient mobility.
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BrisketYou say that roads should not be for leisure, so do you propose to ban all tourists from taking a leisure drive around our island during their stay? Do you propose that residents should be banned from taking a leisure drive into the mountains? The roads are there for everybody motorists and cyclists to use as they wish, not just for people to get to work and for trucks to deliver goods.
"From now on, drivers will have to reduce their speed by 20 km/h below the permitted limit when overtaking a cyclist." And this while keeping 5 metre distance? This effectively bans overtaking on slower roads, causing jams and stress. "Cyclists will have more flexibility in dense traffic situations, as they will be allowed to overtake vehicles on both sides. Also, on single-lane streets with a speed limit of 30 km/h, they will be able to ride in the opposite direction." Wtf? Why can't they just follow traffic laws like the rest of us? Roads should not be for leisure or sport. They are important infrastructures. These are definitely dangerous proposals, and degrade the responsibility cyclists should take during road use. Crazy.
I see in the report that all cyclists are going to have to wear helmets, without exception, which I assume would include resort hire bikes for local rides along the proms. Also what about the 4 wheeled multi seater bikes to go to an extreme. The coming up from 5 meters behind and overtaking 1.5 meters is more common sense, which not everyone has sadly. Also there aught to be regulations on how many can be bunched up together in any one party, thus to allow vehicles safe overtaking. Finally perhaps cyclist parties should pull in periodology to allow traffic to overtake safely, rather than cyclists thinking they priority over the roads.
Tested for alcohol but not tested for eyesight. My father gave up driving at the age of 85 because he no longer felt competent. My mother did the same a few years before him. I don't mind being a taxi as he gave me their car. I cycle around Mallorca twice a year and I know I can do everything right but someone else can still do something wrong. Best wishes to those affected - even the old guy. It won't be nice living with what he has done.
I see the overtaking caution sign shows the car passing 1.5m from TWO CYCLISTS ABREAST (thought that was prohibited?). And how exactly do I deal with two oncoming cyclists passing either side of me on a one-way street whilst driving at less than 10km/h which the new rules seem to require?
under circumstances that are being investigated... I can tell you EXACTLY why, knowing that road. It is dead straight and flat for over 5km and at 10:30 today was pointing EXACTLY at the rising sun, only a hands breadth above the horizon. I doubt the driver could see anything at all, nor the cyclists who were likely riding well out to the centre to stay on track.
Very unfortunate incident which basically will have life altering effect on those who have been seriously injured doing something they thought was going to be the time of there life a bike riding holiday in MALLORCA , I have seen many time´s bikes riding around Palma and have to say it look´s scary as hell to me I wouldn't do it the consequences of suffering serious injury are disastrous . Old Law´s New Laws whatever .
As a cyclist resident on the island there are three aspects of this new legislation tgsg remain unclear for me: 1. Why dies it increase our safety if we are permitted to pass other vehicles on the right or left side? 2. When are we required to where hi vis clothing - the rules say low visibility - dies this mean at night, or is there a broader meaning? 3. I always wear a helmet anyway, but many people around town do not - especially those on the Palma city rental bikes - are they all required to wear a helmet now? If this is the case, then it is a very positive action. Finally, referencing this specific accident described in this article where an 89yr old hospitalised 6 people - why on earth was an 89yr old driving a car?? Surely, there should be an age beyond which driving is not permitted. Or do people just drive until they are involved in a catastrophic accident. Changing this law would probably save more lives in the general population than these specific new laws that are intended to protect cyclists.
Be interesting to see if regulations were followed by way of a driving licence held by the 89 year old.