Undersecretary of Transportation calls on drivers to make "sober" decisions

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SANTIAGO.- The Undersecretary of Transportation, Raúl Erazo, has issued a call for drivers to plan ahead of time so that they do not get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, in hopes of avoiding accident and mortality figures similar to those observed in previous years.

"We understand that it is a personal decision for someone to drive while under the influence of alcohol, but there is also a collective decision to be made by family and friends, to organize themselves beforehand (…) so that sober decisions can be taken", Erazo told Radio Cooperativa.

According to the statistical figures presented by Erazo, the total number of accidents during the "Fiestas Patrias" in 2007 was 899, –179 of which were linked to alcohol consumption- resulting in approximately 8 deaths per day.

During the festivities, as the number of inter-city trips increases along with the number of unauthorized passenger services, the undersecretary has announced that the ministry will be employing a program to supervise travellers, with one hundred inspectors working in various bus terminals throughout the country.  Nevertheless, Erazo indicated that it is up to passengers to consider the risks associated with using informal travel services.