Spanish roads are becoming increasingly dangerous each month: deep potholes, sinkholes, and cracks threaten not only vehicles but also people’s lives. After prolonged heavy rains, the situation has sharply deteriorated—the asphalt literally crumbles beneath the wheels, and emergency services can’t keep up with new damage. Drivers are forced to swerve between potholes, while transport companies are losing millions on vehicle repairs. The problem isn’t the weather, but chronic underfunding and a lack of coordinated action between agencies.
According to Autobild, representatives of the transport sector have repeatedly appealed to the Ministry of Transport, demanding urgent action. They warn that delays could cost lives. Road engineers point out that damage starts gradually, but if intervention is delayed, the consequences become irreversible. Water seeps deep into the road foundation, breaking it down, and simple patchwork repairs do not help—within days, new sinkholes appear in the same spots.
The financial paradox
In Spain, about 30 billion euros are collected annually from the transport sector—taxes, fees, and excises. However, only a small portion of these funds is allocated to road maintenance. Experts note that current investments are three times lower than the minimum required. Engineers say that with this approach, only the most dangerous sections can be patched up, but the core problem remains unresolved. As a result, drivers pay for car repairs, while the state covers compensation for victims.
The head of one of the largest transport associations notes: freight carriers contribute over 50 billion euros to the budget each year, yet the roads continue to deteriorate. At the same time, less than one percent of the collected funds are allocated for their maintenance. This situation breeds distrust among citizens—many believe that their taxes are not being used for their intended purpose. These concerns are especially pronounced amid talks of introducing new toll sections on highways that are currently free.
Danger at every kilometer
Everyone feels the consequences of saving on road repairs: from private motorists to professional carriers. According to the traffic police, this year alone, dozens of people have died from tire blowouts and crashes on poorly maintained roads, and the number of serious accidents has surpassed a thousand. Drivers complain of constant stress and forced detours, while insurance companies are recording an increase in claims related to road conditions.
Sections with heavy traffic and a high number of trucks are especially vulnerable. There, asphalt wears out faster, and after rain, deep washouts appear. Engineers warn: without reinforcing the roadbed, any surface repairs are pointless. Water pressure destroys the pavement structure, and even new layers of asphalt cannot withstand the stress.
Coordination and accountability
Experts are convinced that the problem can only be solved through close cooperation between government agencies and industry organizations. Currently, each acts in its own interests, and there is no unified strategy. Representatives of the transport sector emphasize that this is not about politics, but the safety of millions of people. Without real investment and oversight of spending, the situation will only deteriorate.
Drivers demand transparency: where are their taxes going and why do the roads continue to deteriorate despite record revenues? Many believe that instead of imposing new levies, the government should focus on effectively managing existing resources. For now, Spain’s roads are the stage for a dangerous daily lottery with human lives at stake.
The Asociación de Caminos is one of Spain’s oldest professional organizations, bringing together specialists in the design, construction, and maintenance of transport infrastructure. In recent years, it has become a leading voice on road safety and quality, regularly publishing independent reports on road conditions and proposing solutions to improve the situation. Their expert assessments keep the public informed about the real scale of the problems, while authorities receive recommendations for the effective use of budgetary funds.
