Multiple Accidents Cause Gridlock on Tenerife’s TF-5 Highway

Tenerife’s road network proved its extreme vulnerability once again this Wednesday, as a series of accidents on the northern highway (TF-5) brought traffic to a standstill. Local reports confirm that the chain of collisions caused hours of gridlock, disrupting travel and raising concerns about road safety.

The trouble began just before 2:00 p.m. near Los Naranjeros, when a public transport vehicle and two cars collided, pushing one of the cars onto the median. The situation worsened two hours later when a heavy vehicle overturned in the Los Rodeos area, causing delays that stretched all the way to Santa Úrsula. By 4:00 p.m., a further collision between two cars pushed the highway to its breaking point.

These events highlight the fragility of the island’s infrastructure; because there are few effective alternative routes, even minor incidents lead to widespread traffic paralysis. The congestion was further worsened by "rubbernecking," which slowed traffic in both directions and hindered emergency responders. While authorities have not yet confirmed any injuries, the frequency of these disruptions underscores an urgent need to improve traffic management and emergency response protocols on one of the Canary Islands' busiest roads.