Traffic Chaos on Tenerife’s TF-5 Following Multiple Incidents Near El Sauzal
A series of incidents on Tenerife’s TF-5 motorway caused major traffic gridlock near El Sauzal, highlighting the vulnerability of the island's primary northern transport artery.
The fragility of Tenerife’s northern road network was highlighted once again this afternoon following a series of incidents on the TF-5. The motorway, which already struggles with heavy daily traffic, ground to a halt near El Sauzal after a crash and a vehicle breakdown occurred simultaneously. The resulting traffic jam stretched well past the center of Tacoronte.
The situation was particularly concerning because a family, including a minor, was stranded in their vehicle in the left-hand lane. Emergency services—including the Civil Guard, firefighters, medical teams, and road maintenance crews—were quickly deployed to secure the area and clear the road.
This incident underscores how easily the island’s main northern artery can be paralyzed. Because the TF-5 is constantly at capacity, even a minor obstruction creates a major bottleneck, affecting thousands of commuters. With traffic backed up significantly, authorities are urging drivers to use caution and consider alternative routes, such as the TF-152, to help ease the congestion on a road that continues to struggle with even minor disruptions.