DGT launches campaign to curb distractions while driving

On October 5, 2026, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), Spain's traffic authority, announced the launch of a new campaign focused on preventing distractions while driving. This initiative is crucial given that distractions are the most common contributing factor in traffic accidents, representing 21% of all incidents, including 32% of fatal accidents, which amounted to 444 cases in 2025.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the risks associated with distracted driving, which not only increases the likelihood of accidents but also exacerbates the severity of injuries sustained by those involved. To enforce this campaign, agents from the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard, along with local and regional police forces, will monitor distractions on both urban and interurban roads until Sunday, October 11.

In addition to on-ground surveillance, the DGT will utilize automated systems, including cameras installed along roads, to detect drivers using mobile phones while driving. This initiative is part of the Operation Focus on the Road, a European-wide campaign coordinated by RoadPol (European Roads Policing Network).

Collaboration with ASPAYM

Volunteers from the National Federation of Spinal Cord Injured and Other Physical Disabilities (ASPAYM) will also participate in this campaign. Since 2007, ASPAYM has collaborated with the DGT on various awareness-raising actions aimed at drivers. In this campaign, ASPAYM volunteers will accompany traffic agents conducting checks in several provinces, including Almería, Ávila, Burgos, and others, to emphasize the importance of reducing high-risk behaviors that jeopardize road safety.

Understanding Driver Distraction

Driver distraction is a significant risk factor in traffic safety. It occurs when a driver's attention shifts from necessary driving tasks to competing activities. Distractions can be visual, auditory, physical, or cognitive, and may arise from interacting with passengers, using a mobile phone, eating, or adjusting vehicle systems. The mobile phone is one of the most common sources of distraction, with self-reported prevalence rates of 51% for hands-free devices, 22% for handheld conversations, and 23% for reading messages or checking social media across 22 European countries.

Distracted driving negatively impacts performance, leading to more lane deviations, longer reaction times, and an increased likelihood of overlooking important traffic information. New vehicle technologies aimed at combating distracted driving show promise, with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) proving particularly beneficial, including features like frontal collision alerts and automatic emergency braking.

Results from Previous Campaigns

The misuse of mobile phones while driving remains the most frequently sanctioned distraction, as evidenced by the results of the last campaign conducted from October 6 to 12, 2025. This campaign involved 397 municipalities across 42 provinces, with 47.4% of the total fines issued for mobile phone use while driving.