Deadly Countdown to Celebration: 14 Lives Lost, 114 Behind Bars in Pre-Holiday Carnage
Minister of the Interior Reports Alarming Number of Traffic Accidents During National Holidays
The Minister of the Interior, Carolina Tohá, expressed concern over the high number of traffic accidents that occurred in the last 48 hours, resulting in 14 deaths and 114 arrests.
Within the framework of the “18 Safe” plan, Tohá warned that if this trend continues, the country will end up with undesirable figures. She urged citizens to take care of themselves, follow instructions, and plan activities carefully.
The Transport Undersecretary, Jorge Daza, also expressed regret over the death toll, stating that it is “very worrying” considering the celebrations have just started.
Main Causes of Accidents During National Holidays
According to the authorities, the main causes of traffic accidents are:
- Drunk driving
- Not respecting speed limits
- Distraction while driving and distraction while traveling on foot
The general of the Carabineros, Juan Muñoz, reported that 114 people have been arrested, including 68 for driving while drunk, 28 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 18 for driving while consuming drugs.
Safety Measures on the Streets
To ensure safety on the streets, the Carabineros have deployed over 3,000 soldiers on highways, paths, and trails. They have also conducted over 35,000 vehicle controls.
General Juan Muñoz explained that approximately 280,000 vehicles have left the Metropolitan Region, and they will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Let’s take care of each other: In these 48 hours, an alarming number of traffic accidents have been recorded, with fatal consequences. pic.twitter.com/GfIEjH5VF5
— Carolina Tohá (@Carolina_Toha) September 15, 2024