According to data from the National Road Safety Observatory (Onasevi), there were 490 fatalities during this period, an average of four per day, 388 deaths reported during the same period in 2015.

  Other indicators also show an increase in the number of injuries, totaling 5,326 during this period, in 7,949 traffic accidents.

  These figures represent increases of 28 and 19%, respectively.

  Among the main causes of accidents, injuries, and fatalities are driver distraction, lane invasion, failure to maintain a safe following distance, disregard for traffic laws, and excessive speed, the Onasevi investigation reveals.

  Just a week ago, the Deputy Minister of Transportation, Nelson Reyes, asserted that “cell phones are the number one enemy,” and acknowledged the increase in traffic accidents.

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