Nearly 50% of drivers who died in Spanish road accidents in 2025 had alcohol, drugs, or psychotropics in their system. Most were men aged 35 to 54. Authorities call the trend alarming and urge new preventive measures.
Spain faces a stark warning from the latest official data: almost half of all drivers killed in road accidents in 2025 had consumed alcohol, drugs, or psychotropic medications. The Ministry of Justice, presenting the annual report from the Instituto Nacional de Toxicología y Ciencias Forenses (INTCF), highlighted that 49.9% of deceased drivers tested positive for at least one prohibited substance—a figure that marks a 1.7% increase over the previous year.
The typical profile emerging from the report is a male aged between 35 and 54, most often behind the wheel of a car or motorcycle, and involved in fatal crashes on weekdays. The data, described by officials as both discouraging and worrying, underscores a persistent and widespread problem on Spanish roads.
Of the 1,202 traffic fatalities analyzed, 894 were drivers, 171 were pedestrians, and 135 were vehicle occupants. Among drivers, 446 tested positive for substances. Car drivers accounted for the largest share of positive cases (46.4%), followed by motorcyclists (35.4%). Notably, 61.9% of these fatal incidents occurred on working days, suggesting that substance use is not limited to weekends or holidays but is a routine risk factor.
Men made up the overwhelming majority of positive cases—nine out of ten—while women represented just under 10%. The average age of drivers who tested positive was 46.6 years, with the highest rates found in the 45–54 age group (22.1%), followed by those aged 35–44 (17.1%).
Alcohol remains the most common substance detected, present in two-thirds of positive cases. Drugs were found in 41.9% and psychotropic medications in 34.1%. Many victims had more than one substance in their system, with the combination of alcohol and cocaine being the most frequent. The report notes that 20.3% of deceased drivers had blood alcohol levels of 1.2 grams per liter—enough to constitute a criminal offense—while 11.6% exceeded two grams, indicating severe intoxication.
Cocaine was the most prevalent illegal drug, detected in 14% of cases, a five-point increase from 2024. Cannabis followed at 8.1%, with amphetamines and opiates much less common. Psychotropic drugs, mainly benzodiazepines, anxiolytics, antiepileptics, and opioids, were present in 17% of cases. The share of victims with multiple substances in their system rose to 19.1%, up 6% from the previous year.
Pedestrians were also affected: 50.9% of those killed tested positive for alcohol, drugs, or psychotropics. Among these, men were again the majority, though less overwhelmingly than among drivers. High blood alcohol levels (over 1.2 grams per liter) were found in 61% of positive pedestrian cases.
Authorities have responded by emphasizing the need for stronger preventive policies. The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) reported that around nine million breathalyzer tests were conducted in 2025, meaning roughly one in three drivers was checked, in line with World Health Organization recommendations. The DGT also operates a national helpline (018) for victims of road accidents and their families, offering support in over 50 languages every day from 8:00 to 21:00. Additional contact options include WhatsApp and email.
Contextually, Spain has seen a 4% increase in overall mobility over the past year, which may contribute to the rising number of incidents. The INTCF report, compiled with input from regional forensic institutes in Catalonia, Euskadi, Murcia, Comunidad Valenciana, Islas Baleares, and the Luis Concheiro center, provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing challenge. The findings have prompted calls from judicial and traffic authorities for urgent action to address the high rate of substance use among drivers and pedestrians involved in fatal accidents.
For context, Spain has long struggled with road safety, but the persistent link between substance use and fatal accidents remains a critical concern. The country has implemented strict legal limits for blood alcohol content and conducts regular roadside checks, yet the data suggests enforcement and prevention efforts must be intensified. The INTCF's annual report serves as a key resource for policymakers and public health officials seeking to reduce fatalities and improve road safety nationwide.
