Driver Charged After Near-Miss on Tenerife's Notorious TF-523
A driver has been charged with dangerous driving on Tenerife's TF-523 road following a November incident involving a dangerous overtake and suspected racing, highlighting the route's persistent problem with illegal speeding.
An investigation is underway into a driver accused of a road safety offense on road TF-523, also known as Subida de Los Loros, in Arafo, Tenerife. This case highlights the ongoing problem of illegal speeding on this route. Reports released this Tuesday confirm that the incident, which happened last November, has led to charges against an individual for dangerous driving that seriously endangered other road users.
The legal action is focused on an incident where a driver tried to overtake another car near a bend, just as another vehicle was coming the other way. This forced the oncoming driver to swerve sharply to avoid a head-on crash. The affected driver later filed a complaint, stating that both the investigated vehicle and the one being overtaken were going at very high speeds, appearing to be racing.
The Civil Guard's Road Safety Investigation Unit (UNIS-GIAT) in the Canary Islands took over the case after the initial complaint came from the Güímar station. Investigations have confirmed that around the time of the incident, the 1-1-2 emergency service received many calls from the public about illegal speeding on that road. So far, officers have found and spoken to three eyewitnesses.
Road TF-523, which links Arafo with the summit of Tenerife, is unfortunately well-known for these dangerous activities, involving both car drivers and powerful motorcycle riders. This ongoing issue has, over the years, led to many accidents resulting in deaths or serious injuries. This highlights how serious the situation is and why authorities need to keep stepping in.