How to Stay Safe During Christmas and New Year Travel in Colombia: Tips and Recommendations

The Christmas and New Year holidays are a favorable time for travel. Figures from the Superintendency of Transportation show that December is the month in which the most passenger transport vehicles travel on Colombia’s roads (it is estimated that 14.7 million travelers will be transported during the season), in the same way, Civil Aeronautics projects that nearly 11.6 million passengers will be transported by air between December 7 and January 22.

Although this is a season of celebration, historically this month the numbers of road accidents skyrocket: in December 2022, 883 people lost their lives on the roads.

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In this article we tell you some recommendations that you should take into account if you are going to travel this New Year’s Eve, the most important of which is to avoid irresponsible behavior that could put your life and that of other people at risk.

Under no circumstances should you drive if you have consumed alcoholic beverages and remember that excessive speed is a risk factor that makes the difference in a road accident.

Between January and September (latest data available), 6,151 people have died on the country’s roads. The majority of deaths, by far, are motorcycle users: 3,821 in that period of time, according to figures from the ANSV. Remember to use all protective equipment correctly, especially the helmet, and follow traffic regulations.

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📍 Before starting the road trip

According to the National Road Safety Agency, in addition to being sure that your vehicle has up-to-date maintenance, you should take these seven points into account:

1. Check the condition of the tires: check the tire pressure, the tread of the tires using a depth gauge or check that the tire wear indicator does not yet touch the surface.

2. Check engine levels: Check that the coolant level is adequate; Check the engine oil level by using the dipstick, as well as the windshield wiper fluid level and brake fluid level.

3. Check the brake system: before starting the engine, with the switch open, press the brake pedal and verify that it does not descend; If it drops too low, the system could leak. Also check the wear of the discs and pads or shoes (in case of drum brakes) and that the handbrake is working correctly. If the brakes have any type of noise, it is recommended to take it to a specialized service.

4. Check the condition of the lights: Check that the traffic lights, high beams, flashing lights, brake lights, and reverse lights are working properly.

5. Check that the seat belts do not have cuts or excessive wear and that the anchors work correctly.

6. Make sure that the side mirrors and center rear view mirror are well positioned to minimize “dead spots” in the mirrors.

7. Check that the emergency kit has everything stipulated in the national traffic code: a jack with the capacity to raise the vehicle; a crosshead; two triangle-shaped road signs made of reflective material and provided with supports to be placed vertically or intermittent or flashing yellow light signal lamps; a first aid kit; a fire extinguisher; two blocks to block the vehicle; basic tool box (which should have at least pliers, screwdrivers, expansion wrench and open-end wrenches); spare tire and flashlight.

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📍 Information channels

The National Highway Institute (Invías) made information and communication channels available to “make travel on the country’s roads safer and more agile during the end-of-year season.” Remember that you can consult information on these channels:

▶️ Users of mobile operators other than Claro and Movistar can consult information at #767

▶️ For Claro and Movistar users, Invías recommends saving on your mobile device the hotlines that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: (601) 7420767- 018000186707, WhatsApp (+57)17426767.

▶️ Information is also published at @numeral767 on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).

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📍 For flights

To ensure a good experience, Aerocivil provided eight recommendations:

1. If you travel with pets, remember to have the documentation determined by the competent authority (ICA) on hand and notify the airline 48 hours before the flight.

2. Remember to arrive three hours early for domestic flights and four hours early for international flights.

3. Have your identification documents at hand.

4. Find out in advance about the requirements for your trip. Among other things, confirm whether your destination requires visas, vaccination certificates or other documents.

5. For Venezuelan citizens: remember that you can travel on domestic flights with a passport, even if it has expired up to 10 years ago, with the special residence permit or with the temporary protection permit. These last two documents must be originals (copies are not accepted).

6. If you are traveling with minors under 18 years of age, verify the necessary documents, such as the original civil registration and a valid passport (for international travel).

7. You should not carry sharps, aerosols and flammable objects in your hand luggage. Remember that for international flights, liquids must be in containers smaller than 100 milliliters.

8. Check the weather before the flight (see here) to be aware of possible changes.

📍 The Christmas Plan

In a circular sent by the National Road Safety Agency and the Superintendency of Transportation, a series of measures were established to be adopted by traffic authorities and local authorities. These measures include:

1. Increase control operations on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, especially fortnightly payment days, at critical points. Taking into account, especially, factors such as the use of helmets, alcohol consumption, the use of lights and reflective vests on motorcycles, technical-mechanical inspection and speed.

Also: The “Christmas Plan” security operation of the Bogotá Mayor’s Office has been positive

2. According to analysis by the National Road Safety Observatory, on fortnightly payment days there is a greater tendency to increase the number of deaths. Hence, one of the recommendations is to intensify control operations on those days, especially regarding speed and alcohol consumption.

3. Use the technological equipment that each transit agency has to support the management of control measures.

💰📈💱 Have you heard the latest economic news yet? We invite you to see them in El Espectador.

2023-12-13 22:02:25
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