By Alba González,Mdb Digital
Copyright majorcadailybulletin
Images and videos circulate constantly on social media. Within just 48 hours, three separate incidents have come to light in which reckless driving has put both the drivers themselves and other road users in danger. This spike has raised alarms within the Guardia Civil’s Traffic Division, which has expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation in detecting offenders and helping to identify them.
In the most recent case under investigation, officers are tracking down a driver who was filmed carrying out dangerous manoeuvres and even forced a coach driver to stop in the left-hand lane of Palma’s ring road. The footage, recorded by another motorist’s dashcam, has been crucial in charging the alleged perpetrator.
In the video sequence, the offending driver can be seen taking serious risks: crossing solid white lines, weaving between lanes on the right, and ultimately cutting violently across the path of a tourist bus. The white vehicle swerved across all three lanes on at least two occasions, overtook dangerously, and finally stopped directly in front of the coach, which was forced into an emergency stop. Blocking the coach — which was carrying minors on their way to the airport — created an extremely hazardous situation, not only for the passengers but also for everyone else on the road, as it completely obstructed the overtaking lane of the ring road.
The reckless driver even got out of his vehicle to confront the coach driver. Apparently, some earlier movement by the coach had angered him to such extremes. Thanks to public cooperation and the Traffic Division’s investigation, the alleged offender — a 31-year-old man from Mallorca — has been identified and is under investigation for a suspected road safety offence of dangerous driving.
Since last weekend, several other motorists have reported reckless manoeuvres and risky behaviour. In one case, last Saturday on the Pollensa road, a vehicle was spotted packed to the brim, with passengers even travelling in the boot.
In other reports, witnesses have highlighted cars in poor condition or vehicles that do not even meet the minimum standards to be on the road — creating serious hazards on the islands’ roads. Last Sunday, numerous drivers were shocked to see a vehicle travelling without the two wheels on its left-hand side, leaving only the rims.
The incident occurred on the Ma-13, the Inca motorway, near Sencelles. The person inside the car was driving at a considerable speed while the metal bands of the tyres sparked against the tarmac — a highly dangerous situation. This is punishable by the Directorate General of Traffic with a fine of at least 200 euros for each worn or damaged wheel, in addition to the serious risk it poses to other road users. The Guardia Civil has reminded the public that such behaviour puts everyone’s lives at risk.
