SANTO DOMINGO.-After acknowledging that the issue of motorcycles went beyond the control of the authorities, Óscar Almánzar, president of the National Federation of Motoconchistas of the Dominican Republic (Fenamoto), insists that education and a regime of consequences are essential to control the chaos generated by that sector, which contributes the highest number of deaths due to accidents.
It proposes that the Motorcycle Regulation Plan be resumed free of charge so that no one makes excuses and a database is created with the names, license plate and telephone number of the driver in order to contribute to public safety, and whoever is illegal is arrested and get control.
Almánzar also suggests the “National Forum on the Responsible Use of Motorcycles” that involves brand owners, importers, distributors, consumers; the Customs Directorate, the General Directorate of Internal Taxes, the Digesett and Intrant, as well as the National Police and insurance companies to seek concrete solutions to this scourge.
Affiliates
In Fenamoto alone there are around 75 thousand members in 27 provinces of the country, the majority dedicated to motoconcho, who transport users from their homes to work and other destinations, from whom they require licenses, registration plates, use of helmets and protective vests, among others. other requirements established in Law 63-17.
However, apart from them, there are couriers, grocery store delivery and digital applications; the young people who race on the ring roads and highways like 6 de Noviembre and Samaná and another group who use motors as private transportation and sometimes even to commit misdeeds.
Together they exceed 3.5 million two-wheeled vehicles, apart from the unregistered ones that cause deaths daily, according to Óscar Almánzar.
“We are clear that the majority of traffic deaths are caused by motorcycles and that hospital budgets are taken up by accident injuries. We want to contribute, which is why we propose creating the Motorcyclist Care Center, which should be something public and private so that the members leave there with their licenses, a certified protective helmet or their insurance, also psychologists to give them talks and raise awareness,” commented the Fenamoto representative.
Among the requirements established by article 75 of Law 63-17 for the operation of motorcycles are double plates and registration according to the type of use given to it.
Common violations
— In full light
Motoconchistas are frequently seen on the streets circulating without plates or protective helmets and carrying more than two passengers. It is common to see them traveling on opposite roads or over sidewalks.
They complain about paying for the mistakes of others
Affiliates. Some of the motoconchistas registered in Fenamoto, such as César Rodríguez and Jorge Díaz, who are found daily on the corner of San Pío X street in the Renacimiento sector, complain that they pay for broken dishes or mistakes made by others.
“We are working. One walks on one’s right, and there are those who do not respect the law and for one we all pay,” César Rodríguez reacted. Both assured that the situation is a little tough, they charge 50 pesos and sometimes we do it for up to 25 and they can’t leave the clients.
One of Jorge Díaz’s wishes is for jobs to be created and gasoline to be subsidized. They allege that out of a thousand pesos they make, 300 are for gasoline.