Road deaths in Spain

Road deaths in Spain last year fell below 2,000 for the first time since records began being kept in 1969. A total of 1,857 people died in traffic accidents in Spain as of Dec. 27, 2009.

The number of fatalities in 1969 was 3,951 and had been on a rise due to increased traffic volume. About 7,000 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 1989. The decline in road deaths to various factors, including the introduction of a driver's license penalty points system in July 2006. Additional roadway radar and cameras have also made it easier for authorities to crack down on speeding and slash the number of fatal accidents.