SANTO DOMINGO.-The General Directorate of Traffic and Land Transportation Security (Digesett) does not have the necessary personnel to inspect motorcycles and vehicles at the national level, according to the director, General Francisco Osoria de la Cruz, PN
This indicates that the population and vehicle drivers will continue to be victims of the chaos and accidents caused by motorcyclists in the country, due to the recklessness and lack of consequences reported in this Monday’s edition by the newspaper EL DÍA.
However, traffic disorder has become a pandemic, with a record of at least 8 deaths per day that mainly involves motorcycles, according to deputy Tobías Crespo, promoter of Law 63-17, who is concerned about the fact. that this regulation must be complied with and applied.
The number of Digesett agents is approximately 3,572 members, but when administrative staff, technicians and other tasks are subtracted, it is reduced to approximately 2,500 agents distributed over three shifts.
This is for a total of around 5 million motorcycles in the country, of which 3.8 million are registered with the General Directorate of Internal Revenue, while the rest are assembled locally and escape registration by law, not counting the rest. of motor vehicles nationwide.
Supervision
“For motorists we have increased inspections by 200 percent, while for motor vehicles by 24 percent compared to January to November 2023, and the operations are carried out daily,” explained Osoria.
It meant that only due to lack of light violations have increased by 91 percent and due to not wearing a helmet by 41 percent, commented the director of the Digesett.
He attributed the speed with which the motorcyclists move to the fact that they are fleeing from the agents, and pointed out that the detention centers are full due to lack of documents, failure to use helmets and other infractions.
Osoria stated that, for an agent to be able to inspect both motorcycles and vehicles, he must observe and capture the infraction in flagrante delicto, and in addition, he pointed out that they do not have the necessary technology to carry out this task.
They still have to help keep traffic flowing and serve those who are dedicated to clandestine racing. Aside from this panorama, the senior officer said that motorcyclists are a necessary evil due to the lack of efficient transportation.
Lack of will
After taking an x-ray of what the implementation of Law 63-17 entailed, Tobías Crespo stated that the problem is due to the lack of political will and willingness of the Government to face the problem with true responsibility.
The law includes restrictions for motorcycles that are not met, such as not transporting children under eight years of age and no more than two passengers, among others.
The vulnerable
— Accidents
The problem with motorcycles is that between 63% and 70% of traffic accidents involve two-wheeled vehicles, where motorcyclists and pedestrians are the most vulnerable on public roads,” Crespo said.
Economic impacts generated by the problem
Impact. Tobías Crespo highlighted the economic cost that accidents involving motorcyclists have for countries like this, which represents 2.3 of the gross domestic product.
“In the health system alone that represents about 130 billion pesos annually, without including reports from the justice system, damage to public property, injuries and deaths,” he said.
The legislator reiterated the lack of political will and non-application of the law that has the tools to impose order.
It raises the need for resources and tools so that the Digesett can act with an awareness plan to prevent young people from becoming a burden when they become disabled.
