In 2023, 9.3% of drivers subjected to testing in Santa Cruz de Tenerife were found to have cocaine in their system. This information is based on data from the Local Police Testimony service, which confirms that out of the 236 tests conducted last year to detect narcotic substances in drivers, 9.3% were positive for cocaine, accounting for a total of 22 cases.
These findings echo a report released by the Spanish Foundation for Road Safety last Wednesday, indicating that 19% of drivers in the Canary Islands tested positive for cocaine in controls carried out by the Civil Guard. This is a concerning statistic, especially considering that 13% of motorists who lost their lives in the past year had traces of cocaine in their system, marking a 54% increase over the last decade.
As for alcohol-related incidents in the city, the local Police conducted a total of 2,154 alcohol tests on drivers in 2023, resulting in 146 reported cases, although the exact percentage is not available.
Jesús Illada, the CSIF delegate in the local Police, raised concerns by stating that specific traffic controls at fixed points have not been conducted in Santa Cruz since 2017 due to restrictions in police operational regulations that are resistant to change.
Illada highlighted that these regulations restrict the organization of traffic controls during a state of alert, without specifying its nature, except for incidents such as Traffic Directorate campaigns, accidents, or identification of erratic driving behaviour.
Consequently, the CSIF emphasized that police are unable to conduct preventative controls without explicit approval from the acting commissioner or deputy commissioner, leading to a rise in undetected cases of driving offenses linked to alcohol and drug consumption, posing a significant threat to road safety.
On the other hand, the local police clarified that any officer can request authorization from local headquarters for targeted controls if they observe suspicious behaviour or following an accident. The regulations stipulate that Spain, including the Canary Islands, remains under level 4 anti-terrorist alert, limiting random checks for all security forces – from local police to national police and civil guard.
Over 4,600 Vehicles Violated Traffic Lights in the City
In 2023, the Attestation service of the Santa Cruz Local Police attended to 950 traffic accidents resulting in two fatalities. Additionally, 267 reports were issued for suspected violations of road safety laws, with radar monitoring 56,368 vehicles, leading to 2,775 cases of speeding. Moreover, two photo-red control operations conducted by municipal agents caught 4,658 drivers disregarding red traffic lights, posing risks to both drivers and pedestrians.
