Why do so many accidents happen on Peruvian roads?
According to official figures from the Peruvian police, 87,172 traffic accidents occurred in 2023. In 28.1% of cases, driver negligence was responsible. The police attributed 26.4% to excessive speed. In 7.1% of cases, the drivers were under the influence of alcohol. In 3% of cases, carelessness on the part of pedestrians caused the accident. In summary, two-thirds of the accidents could have been prevented by common sense and a sense of proportion.
As a result, 3,138 people died and 58,082 suffered permanent physical damage.
A drive from Curahuasi to Cusco shows the whole dilemma. Drivers speed past queues of cars and simply try to squeeze in when there is oncoming traffic. Often they even find themselves on the central reservation with vehicles on both sides.
You have to change the mentality. But experience has shown that this is the hardest thing to do. Latinos say: “No pasa nada!” Nothing will happen. But the risk of dying in a car accident in Peru is about 10 times higher than in Germany in terms of traffic density.
At around 5pm yesterday, six injured people were brought to the emergency room at Diospi Suyana Hospital. A pickup truck collided with a truck… /KDJ
