1️⃣ Bus accidents and contributing factors
Traffic accidents pose a serious threat in Spain, both in terms of mortality and economic impact 💸. Crashes involving passenger transport are especially sensitive due to the potential number of victims.
🔍 Main causes:
- 👤 Human factor: causes between 70% and 90% of crashes.
- 🌧️ Road and environment: 10% to 35% of accidents (poor road condition, adverse weather, etc.).
- 🚐 Vehicle condition: accounts for 4% to 13% (tyres, brakes, lights, etc.).
📌 Characteristics of work-related crashes:
- On duty (en misión): while performing work activities.
- Commuting (in itinere): trips to/from work. These are the most frequent.
⚠️ High-risk areas:
- More crashes on straight sections due to distraction 🛣️.
- Interurban roads = more fatal because of higher speeds.
- Motorways/dual carriageways are generally safer.
🚀 Speed and vision:
The higher the speed, the narrower the field of view (tunnel effect), the greater the impact energy, and the longer the stopping distance.
📏 Key distances:
- Reaction time: ≈ 0.75 seconds.
- Reaction distance: distance travelled during that time.
- Braking distance: from pressing the brake to a full stop.
- Stopping distance: reaction distance + braking distance.
2️⃣ Fatigue and drowsy driving 😴
Drowsiness and fatigue are present in up to 30% of accidents, especially among professional drivers.
⚠️ Symptoms:
- Body aches, frequent position changes.
- Slow movements and frequent errors.
- Loss of concentration and increased reaction time.
🛠️ Factors that worsen fatigue:
- Driver: prolonged driving without breaks, poor posture, alcohol, illness, etc.
- Road: heavy traffic, poor condition, bad weather.
- Vehicle: poor suspension, steering, or climate control.
💤 Drowsiness:
- Leads to very serious crashes.
- Risks arise even before actually falling asleep.
- Microsleeps, blurred vision, serious mistakes.
✅ Recommendations:
- Stop and rest at the first sign of fatigue (20–30 min).
- Avoid heavy meals and high temperatures.
- Use climate control between 20–23 °C.
- Rely on milled lateral rumble strips (GSLF).
3️⃣ Illnesses and medicines 💊
Chronic or acute illnesses can negatively affect road safety. It is recommended to:
- Know your symptoms and triggers.
- Avoid driving during episodes or with side effects.
- Consult your doctor about risks.
Avoid mixing medicines without prescription, drinking alcohol, or self-medicating.
4️⃣ Heat, distractions, and substances 🚫
🔥 Driving in high temperatures:
- Can be equivalent to driving with a 0.5 g/L blood alcohol level.
- Increases distractions, aggressiveness, and drowsiness.
📱 Distractions:
- Cause up to 40% of accidents.
- Internal factors: mobile phone, fatigue, stress, conversations, etc.
- External factors: poor lighting, confusing signs, heavy traffic.
🍷 Alcohol and drugs:
- 🔴 Driving is prohibited with the presence of drugs or above legal alcohol limits.
- 🠀𐇪𘁁lcohol tests: breath analysis or lab tests.
- 🚓 Officers may immobilize the vehicle.
- ⚖️ Penalties: €500–€1,000 + loss of 4–6 points. Criminal offense in severe cases.
5️⃣ Points-based license 🪪
- Start with 12 points (8 if a novice or after recovery).
- Bonuses for good conduct: up to 15 points.
- Minor offenses: loss of 3 points.
- Very serious: up to 6 points.
- Automatic recovery in 2–3 years without sanctions.
- 🧠 Re-education courses: 12 h (recover up to 6 pts) or 24 h (after total loss).
6️⃣ Active and passive safety elements 🛠️
✅ Active (preventing accidents):
- 🛞 Tyres: pressure, tread, type, maintenance.
- 🛑 Brakes: ABS, EBS, brake booster, retarders.
- 🛏️ Suspension: leaf springs, shock absorbers, air cushions.
- 🔄 Steering: maintenance, pressure, alignment.
- 💡 Lights: maintenance, aiming, types (xenon, adaptive).
- 🚗 Systems: ESP, ASR, speed limiter.
🛡️ Passive (mitigating consequences):
- 🧱 Frame and bodywork.
- 🪟 Laminated glass.
- 🔗 Seat belts.
- 🎈 Airbags.
- 👓 Visibility: wipers, mirrors, climate control.
7️⃣ Efficient driving 🌍
Reduces fuel consumption, improves comfort, and helps the environment.
🔋 Techniques:
- Start without accelerating.
- Shift up in the tachometer’s green zone.
- Avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration.
- Use engine braking and retarders.
- Plan the route and avoid short or unnecessary trips.
🛑 Switch off the engine during long stops. Look after the particulate filter and air conditioning. Service the vehicle regularly.
Take the test
