Distracted Driving Overtakes Speeding as Top Cause of Ecuador Accidents in 2026

Ecuador's National Transit Agency reports distracted driving surpassed speeding as the leading cause of traffic accidents in the first seven months of 2026.

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Between January and July 2026, Ecuador recorded 12,933 traffic accidents, an increase of 12.7% compared to the 11,472 accidents recorded in the same period of 2025, according to the National Transit Agency (ANT). ^[1] Distracted driving became the leading cause of traffic accidents in Ecuador in the first seven months of 2026, with 3,598 cases, surpassing speeding which had led in 2025. ^[2] On September 1, 2026, agents of the Agencia de Tránsito y Movilidad (ATM) in Ecuador conducted an operation on the Perimetral road, retaining 750 heavy vehicles and issuing 9,000 citations. ^[3] The number of injured people in traffic accidents rose from 9,908 in 2025 to 10,939 in 2026, representing a 10.4% increase. ^[4] Edgar Lupera, manager of the ATM, stated that drivers operating heavy vehicles must hold the corresponding license category, with a fine of $1,100 and seven days of vehicle retention for non-compliance. ^[5] The ATM reported a 250% increase in citations for traffic violations in 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. ^[6]

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Distracted driving became the leading cause of traffic accidents in Ecuador in the first seven months of 2026, with 3,598 cases, surpassing speeding which had led in 2025. · El Comercio

On September 1, 2026, agents of the Agencia de Tránsito y Movilidad (ATM) in Ecuador conducted an operation on the Perimetral road, retaining 750 heavy vehicles and issuing 9,000 citations. · El Universo

The number of injured people in traffic accidents rose from 9,908 in 2025 to 10,939 in 2026, representing a 10.4% increase. · El Comercio

Edgar Lupera, manager of the ATM, stated that drivers operating heavy vehicles must hold the corresponding license category, with a fine of $1,100 and seven days of vehicle retention for non-compliance. · El Universo

The ATM reported a 250% increase in citations for traffic violations in 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. · El Universo

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