During a new assessment of the road situation, the police reported that more than 860,000 vehicles had left the Santiago Metropolitan Region since Friday, September 12.
As part of the security operation, General Victor Vielma reported that approximately 34,000 drivers were stopped, of whom 149 were detained, most for driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
The head of the traffic, highways, and road safety zone stated that as of noon this Friday, a five percent increase in lives lost was reported compared to the same period last year.
Public Works Minister Jessica Lopez announced that the so-called “return operation” will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday. Truck traffic will be restricted in some sections and toll reductions will be applied overnight.
A fee of one thousand pesos (approximately one dollar) for light vehicles has also been imposed in the morning hours throughout the weekend, with the aim of encouraging families to avoid afternoon traffic jams.
