Cali suspends peak-and-plate after 7.4 earthquake

On August 10, 2026, the city of Cali, capital of Valle del Cauca, suspended the peak-and-plate measure in response to the strong earthquake that shook Colombia on the morning of that day. The decision sought to guarantee free circulation of private vehicles while authorities verify the safety of road infrastructure.

Suspension of the peak-and-plate

The suspension was announced by the Cali Mayor’s Office shortly after the earthquake was confirmed, which occurred at 7:34 a.m., with magnitude 7.4 and depth of 96 kilometres, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó. While the measure is in effect, private cars may travel without the restriction of the last digit of the license plate.

Deployment of mobility teams

The Mobility Secretariat activated a special deployment of agents to inspect the roads and main accesses. Duvier Ossa, operational manager of the Secretariat’s Management Center, reported that staff were distributed across different sectors of the city to monitor the situation and review the entry and exit corridors.

Priority in strategic corridors

Prioritized sections included Portada al Mar, Montebello, Menga, the corridor to the airport, Paso del Comercio, Juanchito, Simón Bolívar Avenue, Cañasgordas Avenue and La Hulera. In the first checks, no special situations were recorded at these accesses, although monitoring remains active given the possibility of new reports related to the earthquake.

Accident rates and alcohol control

According to data from the Mobility Secretariat, about 120 traffic accidents were attended to in the first hours of the emergency, of which 56 were recorded as positive in the authorities’ procedures. The report also noted four inspections of fatalities associated with accidents: three carried out locally and one considered out-of-town. The secretariat emphasized that part of the incidents occur during the early morning hours, maintaining breath‑alcohol and operational controls in critical areas.

Recommendations to citizens

Authorities asked the population to stay informed through official channels and avoid non‑essential trips. The call for caution aims to allow detailed assessments of roads, buildings and other infrastructure elements that may have been affected. The first set of reports of possible damage – such as fallen trees and compromised structures – does not yet constitute a definitive balance, each case being subject to inspection by the competent bodies.

With information from El Tiempo.