According to the General Traffic Department (DGT), a total of 59 people were killed in road accidents between 3pm on Friday afternoon and 8pm yesterday evening. There have been 47 fatal accidents, which have also left 25 others seriously injured and 22 others with minor injuries.

The death toll is slightly higher than the equivalent six day holiday period last year, when 58 people were killed, but a significant improvement on 2003, when 77 lost their lives over an extended weekend lasting just four days.

Five day holidays in 2003 and 2002 yielded 63 and 65 fatalities respectively.

With nine deaths, Galicia has been the worst affected region this year, followed by Valencia (6), Andalucía (6) and Cataluña (6).

Saturday and Sunday have seen the heaviest casualty toll so far with 14 deaths each day, but the DGT is warning that the busiest period may actually start today, coinciding with the Constitution Day public holiday, and continue up until next Sunday, when holidaymakers embark on their homeward journeys.

The photo shows the wreckage of a BMW which collided with a second vehicle, killing three people, on the N-113 (km 65) near the town of Valverde de Rioja last weekend.