Spain reports near‑half of driver deaths involve alcohol, drugs or fatigue

A recent report from Spain's National Institute of Toxicology shows that 49.9% of the 894 drivers who died in traffic accidents in 2025 tested positive for toxic substances. Alcohol was detected in 32.4% of the cases, drugs in 20.9% and psychotropic medications in 17%. About one‑fifth of the fatalities had blood‑alcohol levels above the criminal threshold of 1.20 g/L, and 11.6% suffered extreme intoxication. Cocaine appeared in 14% of the deceased drivers, the highest proportion since 2014, while cannabis was present in 8.1%. The most common combination was alcohol and drugs, found in 19.1% of the positive tests.

Separate safety advisories stress that alcohol and fatigue remain major risk factors on Spanish roads. The Directorate‑General of Traffic notes that 30‑50% of fatal crashes involve alcohol, and that driving after only four to five hours of sleep multiplies accident risk fourfold, with even higher risk below four hours. Authorities call for zero‑tolerance policies, recommending drivers abstain completely after any alcohol consumption and avoid driving when sleepy. Technologies such as portable breath‑alcohol meters and driver‑monitoring systems are promoted to help prevent impaired driving.