Traffic accidents at Easter decreased by 25%

Compared to previous years, during the holy days of 2022 traffic accidents in Colombia decreased by 25%. The figure was delivered by the Police Traffic and Transport Directorate (DITRA) and they report that from Holy Wednesday (April 13) to Easter Sunday (17) there were 41 deaths from this cause, compared to 55 reported in the same period in 2021.

The authorities added that during these holy days 9,630,374 vehicles were mobilized nationwide, representing an increase of 17 per cent compared to the previous year. They detailed that 2,728,063 vehicles were mobilized in Cundinamarca alone and 1,452,848 in Bogotá alone, that is, that traffic increased by 11% and 2%, respectively. As for the accident rate, this variable recorded a reduction of 11%.

The Traffic and Transport Police maintained that it maintained operations throughout the country, and 8,400 warrants were carried out nationwide and 15,683 drunken tests were carried out, of which 125 were positive.

It was indicated that road accidents during the days of Holy Week are associated with speeding in cities, since due to vehicle decongestion some drivers exceed the limits and traffic signs. In fact, according to the authorities, this was one of the indicators of the greatest fatality.

Thus, the authorities called for proper behavior on the country's roads. The invitation is to respect traffic signs, not to exceed speed and to drive consciously.

It should be noted that in addition to the call for prevention, the National Road Safety Agency also carried out educational and awareness-raising actions to mitigate accidents and save more lives on the roads. During this Holy Week, 69 training sessions were held in different areas of the country with the programs of 'Motorskills'; 'Bicyskills' and 133 days of awareness on the road. In these spaces, 33,800 road actors were trained.

In addition, the Superintendency of Transport and the National Police joined forces to carry out accompanying and attentive campaigns, but focused on tourists who moved by interdepartmental public transport. In total, the authorities developed 43,126 sensitisations, 19,245 orientations and 400 intermediations.

In addition, the Police carried out 96 operations on 1,888 vehicles, 500 in land transport terminals on 597 passenger transport vehicles, 33 toll operations on 861 vehicles, 13 informal operations with 430 inspected vehicles.

It should be noted that the figures for mobility by land were relevant. In the last week, 2,976,285 passengers were transported through land transport terminals authorized by the Ministry of Transport, in 298,244 vehicles. This means an increase of 50% with 992,335 extra passengers, compared to the same period last year, when 1,983,950 passengers were mobilized in 296,170 cars.

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