Combi Accident in Ate, Peru Leaves Six Injured as Driver Flees Scene

On May 30, 2024, a combi lost control on the Carretera Central in Ate, Peru, resulting in six people injured. The accident occurred at kilometer 15.5 of the highway, near the Horacios Zevallos bus stop.

Initial reports indicated that the combi's brakes failed, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. A security camera captured the moment the driver attempted to avoid crashing into other cars, ending up on the train tracks and crashing into prefabricated structures on the side of the road. The vehicle ended up with its wheels in the air.

This accident highlights the ongoing concerns about road safety in Peru and the need for continuous efforts to improve it. If left unaddressed, such incidents can lead to more accidents, injuries, and fatalities, seriously impacting the country's economy and public health.

Dramatic footage from the scene shows two people being thrown from the combi. The driver fled the scene, while the injured were taken to hospitals in Huaycán and Ate.

In such emergencies, the SAMU (Urgent Medical Attention System) operates 24/7 and is free of charge. Assistance can be requested by calling 106. Additionally, the Cruz Roja (Red Cross) provides humanitarian aid in crises that put health, safety, and life at risk.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in Peru. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has implemented a Multisector Road Safety Strategy for 2023-2030, focusing on building local capacity for infrastructure safety management, systematically evaluating and addressing infrastructure risk, and optimizing interventions for road segments with lower Star Ratings.

iRAP (International Road Assessment Programme) has been instrumental in this effort, assessing over 4,500 km of roads and designs in Peru. Their work has influenced the safety of $862 million of road infrastructure investment and trained numerous individuals in road safety practices.

The ongoing probe into this accident keeps the focus on improving road safety to prevent such incidents in the future. The commitment to enhancing infrastructure and safety measures is essential to achieving the UN Target 4, which aims for greater than 75% of travel on 3-star or better roads for all road users in the country by 2030.

The accident on Carretera Central in Ate serves as a sobering illustration of the importance of road safety and the need for continuous efforts to improve it.

Key Takeaways

• Combi loses control on Carretera Central in Ate, Peru, injuring 6 people.
• Brake failure suspected as cause of accident, highlighting road safety concerns.
• Driver fled scene, injured taken to hospitals in Huaycán and Ate.
• Peru's 2030 Multisector Road Safety Strategy aims to improve infrastructure and safety.
• iRAP's road assessments and training support Peru's road safety efforts.