22 people killed in traffic accidents over long weekend

SANTIAGO.- The National Police Force of Chile made a morbid announcement this morning, revealing that the number of fatal victims in traffic accidents during this year's Easter holiday was higher than in 2008.

According to Major Marcelo Ávalos of the 32nd Police Commissary, 22 people were killed in 19 traffic accidents during the long weekend marked by religious celebrations. Of the accidents, seven were classified as collisions, and were reported along with seven pedestrians hit by cars, four vehicle flips, and three crashes, among other incidents.

Meanwhile, in 2008, the number of fatal accident victims reached only 15.

The location with the highest number of accidents was in Region VI, with five, followed by the Metropolitan Region, with three, and the Eighth and Ninth regions, with two.

Ávalos assured that, according to the latest statistics, the majority of the accidents were caused by drunk driving, pedestrian carelessness and speeding.