So far in the first half of 2024, 58 fatalities have been recorded due to road accidents. Of the total, 28 deaths were motorcyclists, 16 pedestrians and 7 motorists. Meanwhile, three lost their lives due to accidents in passenger transport, 2 in vans and a cyclist.
In dialogue with El Tribuno, the director of Road Safety of the Police, Adrián Sánchez Rosado, explained that we reached a total of 58 fatalities so far this year. And he said: “until a while ago we had the pedestrian with the highest incidence of fatalities, for walking on the side of the road while intoxicated, without enabling a traffic light and because of the speed at which cars were traveling.”
He then commented that in Salta we have the highest incidence of fatalities in the interior, more than in the Capital. Especially on national and provincial routes, since there is greater speed there and that is one of the primary indices that generate accidents, followed by alcohol consumption.
Likewise, Rosado said that there are several critical areas identified such as Paraguay and Ragone avenues, the Limache roundabout, the Western Beltway, where they also circulate at high speed. “Many times there is only one vehicle involved. And other road events occur due to friction at high speed.” And he added that Banchik Avenue is another point where several accidents occurred. And he commented that it is a place where they carried out several procedures, since stings and people performing reckless maneuvers such as “wily” among others were recorded.
The law states that only two people can travel on a motorcycle.
Asked about motorcycles that circulate transporting several people, the director of Road Safety commented: “The law says that the motorcycle is a vehicle in which a maximum of two people can travel. And they cannot be less than 10 years old, since the boys’ feet do not reach the stirrup and they must have a helmet of their size.”
Furthermore, Rosado said that when he observes this type of misconduct when driving a motorcycle, infractions are applied, both for having children on board and for traveling without a helmet. “It is the normal task carried out by the highway police. In addition, we have many procedures for people on motorcycles with arrest warrants.”
He also said that if necessary, vehicles are impounded, be it motorcycles, cars, among others. “We have observed that there are many people who saved their lives by putting on a seat belt or wearing a helmet. “We recently went to an accident where the driver was fine and the passenger did not have a seat belt and was ejected and lost his life.”
Fewer deaths in road accidents than the first half of last year
Regarding the numbers compared to last year, he said: “We have fewer deaths compared to the first half of last year, but the number of fatalities should be zero, since they were preventable deaths.”
That is why he stressed that the Road Safety Directorate will continue working until that number is zero. “We continue with driver education in schools, public and private organizations, and this year we began to work a lot on social networks.”
They recommend “defensive driving”
Finally, Sánchez Rosado asked people to practice defensive driving on public roads. “In the context we live in, it is best for people to drive defensively. For example, at a green light, when you are authorized to cross, a pedestrian may cross incorrectly, which ends up ruining both of your lives.” And he continued: “It is necessary to look and cross at the appropriate speed to reduce the risks. We ask that you not trust yourself.”
Every day in Argentina there are 12 deaths in road incidents
He then added that each day in the country there is an average of 12 fatalities per day in road accidents. And he recalled that the world health organization declared this problem as an “endemic that lives with us.”
“We are working for a new road culture, since we have observed this year that we still need greater awareness for a better quality of life. And it is something that involves us and brings us all together,” concluded the director of Police Road Safety.
