Nine people died in traffic crashes and 172 were arrested nationwide during the long weekend for the Encounter of Two Worlds holiday. The figures come from a preliminary report by Chilean police.
According to La Tercera, the figures cover the period from 18:00 on Friday, October 9, to 23:59 on Sunday, October 11. During that time, uniformed police carried out preventive patrols and checks on the country's main highways.
The police report records 241 traffic crashes nationwide, which left nine people dead. The report does not specify where the fatal crashes occurred or provide details about those who died.
During the period, 333,804 vehicles left the Metropolitan Region, according to police. Emol also published that figure, taken from the same report police released on Monday morning.
Police carried out 48,659 checks and inspections. They also administered 13,323 tests to drivers: 13,227 breath alcohol tests and 96 drug tests, which detect alcohol and drug use behind the wheel.
The operations resulted in 1,774 traffic citations issued nationwide. The report does not specify the offenses for which the 172 people were arrested or how many tests returned positive results. As these were arrests, each person's legal status will depend on decisions by the Prosecutor's Office and the courts.
Police urged drivers to follow traffic rules, stay attentive behind the wheel and avoid risky behavior, especially on return journeys. As the report is preliminary, the figures could change when police release the final report.
