In Mexico, some roads are notorious for their danger due to factors such as their structural design, steep slopes and constant traffic of heavy vehicles. One of them is the section known as Los Chorros, located in the municipality of Arteaga, Coahuila, which has earned the nickname ‘the road of death’.
Where is this road and why is it so dangerous?
Los Chorros is located on federal highway 57, in a section that covers from kilometer 210 to 235, within the municipality of Arteaga, Coahuila. This segment of the road connects the northeast of Mexico with other regions of the country, being a fundamental route for the transport of goods and passengers.
Its danger lies in its steep slopes, which reach inclinations of up to 45°, combined with poor road planning and sharp curves. In 2019 alone, 93 accidents were reported, with a balance of 183 people injured and 17 dead, mainly due to the involvement of heavy-duty vehicles.
What do the authorities say about this road?
The danger posed by Los Chorros has not gone unnoticed, since in 2020, Senator Verónica Martínez García presented a point of agreement to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, pointing out that the accidents on this stretch are the result of poor planning and the deterioration of the road, in addition to the excessive speed of some drivers.
More recently, President Claudia Sheinbaum, in her first speech at the Zócalo as President of Mexico, announced that Federal Highway 57, including the Los Chorros section, will be modernized as part of 100 priority actions of her administration. The modernization seeks to reduce accidents and improve road safety in this important connection of the country.
What do recent statistics reveal?
Between 2020 and 2022, 364 accidents were recorded on the Los Chorros stretch, many of them involving cargo transport. Of these incidents, 27 people lost their lives, according to statements by former governor Miguel Riquelme Solís. On average, 130 accidents are reported per year, with at least three of them classified as fatal. These figures reinforce the urgency of modernization works to avoid further tragedies.
The modernization of Highway 57 is a national priority to improve traffic conditions on routes as dangerous as Los Chorros. This stretch not only represents a technical challenge for the authorities, but also an opportunity to ensure that thousands of drivers can circulate more safely on one of the busiest roads in the country.
Source: coahuila.posta
