Spain’s Festive Travel Peaks: When Road Risks Are at Their Highest

Spain’s festive season creates several predictable peaks in travel risk, each linked to long-standing traditions and public holidays. The busiest and most hazardous day is Nochebuena, when afternoon and early-evening traffic surges as families travel for the main Christmas celebration. Insurers consistently report higher claim numbers on 24 December, driven by pressure to arrive on time, poor visibility, and fatigued or distracted drivers.

Traffic rises again in the days after Christmas as people return home or visit city centres for post-holiday shopping, leading to an increase in low-speed collisions and parking incidents. New Year’s Eve brings another spike, with fatigue after late celebrations contributing to single-vehicle crashes and rear-end impacts. The final surge occurs around Three Kings, when parades, shopping, and family visits create dense urban traffic and high pedestrian activity.

Planning journeys earlier in the day, allowing extra time, and maintaining concentration helps reduce risk across Spain’s busiest festive travel days.

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