Rising Accident Toll Sparks Urgent Calls for Road Safety Reform in Canary Islands
A surge in traffic accidents across the Canary Islands, including a recent crash on the high-risk TF-21, has intensified calls for urgent road safety reforms as regional fatalities reach 23 this year.
Road safety in the Canary Islands is back in the spotlight following a series of accidents, including a crash on the TF-21—a route the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) identifies as one of the most dangerous in Spain for motorcyclists. A 25-year-old man was moderately injured after falling at kilometer 26 of this road, which connects La Orotava to Teide National Park.
The DGT has long flagged this route as high-risk due to its challenging layout. Specific danger zones include the areas around Hacienda Perdida, the Mataznos viewpoint, and the former Pinalito water plant. Similar issues affect other roads like the TF-28 and TF-82, contributing to Tenerife’s status as the region with the highest risk for motorcyclists in Spain, with 18 sections currently under special surveillance.
In a separate incident in Santa Úrsula, a two-car collision on Calle Fuente Ravelo sent one vehicle down an embankment. Three young people were injured; one suffered moderate injuries, while the other two were treated for minor injuries by emergency services, including the SUC, firefighters, and Civil Protection.
These incidents add to a concerning regional trend. According to provisional data from the International Association of Professionals for Road Safety (AIPSEV), there have been 23 deaths and 384 injuries in the archipelago so far this year. Vulnerable road users—specifically motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians—account for more than half of all fatalities.
By island, Tenerife has recorded 12 deaths, followed by Gran Canaria with nine, and Fuerteventura and La Gomera with one each. Data from 112 Canarias, the DGT, and local police show that 68 motorcyclists, 37 pedestrians, and 14 cyclists have been injured this year, highlighting an urgent need to review road safety policies across the islands.