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    "headline": "Distracted Driving Overtakes Speeding as Top Cause of Ecuador Accidents in 2026",
    "dek": "Ecuador's National Transit Agency reports distracted driving surpassed speeding as the leading cause of traffic accidents in the first seven months of 2026.",
    "prose": "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]\n\nDistracted 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]\n\nOn 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]\n\nThe number of injured people in traffic accidents rose from 9,908 in 2025 to 10,939 in 2026, representing a 10.4% increase. [^4]\n\nEdgar 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]\n\nThe 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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    {
      "statement": "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).",
      "source": "El Comercio",
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      "statement": "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.",
      "source": "El Comercio",
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      "statement": "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.",
      "source": "El Universo",
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      "statement": "The number of injured people in traffic accidents rose from 9,908 in 2025 to 10,939 in 2026, representing a 10.4% increase.",
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      "statement": "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.",
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