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Date Published: 26/10/2022

ARCHIVED - Traffic accidents involving animals double in Spain in 5 years

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More than 11,000 serious incidents were reported between cars and animals between 2017 and 2021 in Spain

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Traffic accidents involving animals double in Spain in 5 years

The number of car accidents involving animals, both wild and domestic, has doubled in Spain over the last five years, according to a study of the period carried out by Línea Directa Aseguradora. The reasons are varied, according to the insurance firm, but many incidents can be attributed to the neglect of urban areas, the lack of population control and the effect of the pandemic, which has caused many previously feral species to lose their fear of people and built-up localities.

The study ‘Animals on the road: A mortal danger’ revealed that almost 11,400 accidents of this type were reported between 2017 and 2021 by Línea Directa customers and the cost of claims increased by 104% during this period, compared to a rise of just 13.6% for common accidents.

Personal injury aside, repairs to vehicles that hit animals are typically 2.4 times more expensive than regular damage and in general, take 38% longer.

The speed at which people tend to travel and the weight and size of the animals usually run over make these incidents particularly “violent and dangerous,” the report said.

These accidents usually happen on rural roads, at night (61%), on weekends, in autumn (34%) and the collision is most often with wild boars and dogs. Although the vast majority of incidents are still reported on conventional roads (64%), in the last five years the number of accidents involving animals in towns and cities has tripled.

Eight years ago the Spanish government passed a law transferring the responsibility of these accidents to the driver, except in very specific cases. One notable exception is if a car hits a domestic animal, in which case the owner would be expected to pay for the damages. However, given that most accidents involve abandoned or stray animals, this is rarely implemented.

The most important point, Línea Directa Aseguradora stresses, is that motorists make sure they are insured against these kinds of accidents. It’s a relatively cheap add on, normally costing around 35 euros extra, but only 43% of drivers in Spain are actually covered.

>>> Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates <<<

Image: Pixabay

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