TF-66 in South Tenerife Named Spain’s Third Most Dangerous Road for Overtaking
A section of the TF-66 road in southern Tenerife has been identified as the third most hazardous location in Spain for overtaking, according to a report by the Línea Directa Foundation and FESVIAL. The report, which examined traffic accidents from 2013 to 2022, highlights the increased danger between kilometres 1 and 9 of this route.
The TF-66 connects Guaza in Arona with El Fraile and is a key route to Las Galletas from the TF-1 motorway. It experiences heavy daily traffic from residents, tourists, and local workers.
According to the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), overtaking accounts for the third leading cause of road fatalities, surpassed only by speeding and alcohol consumption. In the past decade, nearly 600 deaths and 14,000 injuries nationwide stemmed from overtaking incidents, particularly dangerous on conventional roads with a single lane in each direction.
In the cited section of the TF-66, official records show six serious accidents related to overtaking over the last ten years, resulting in three fatalities, seven serious injuries, and two minor injuries.
Factors Behind the Accidents
The report attributes the risks on the TF-66 to both technical and human factors. Key concerns include:
- Frequent changes in gradient
- Limited visibility in some areas
- Constantly heavy traffic flow
Human behaviour also plays a role. The study found that approximately 8.3 million drivers in Spain admitted to overtaking on continuous lines, while nearly half confessed to exceeding speed limits during these manoeuvres.
Profile of Overtaking Accidents
Overtaking-related accidents in the Canaries and across Spain show a clear demographic and temporal pattern. Most of these incidents occur during weekends in July and August, particularly between 7 am and 2 pm.
The typical driver involved is a man aged between 30 and 45, driving for leisure or holiday purposes. Although lateral collisions are common, frontal crashes are the most lethal, with a greater than 90% chance of death at a speed of 100 km/h.
In 2022, the DGT removed a 20 km/h speed tolerance for cars and motorcycles overtaking on conventional roads aimed at reducing accidents in high-risk areas like the TF-66 in southern Tenerife.
