The Sánchez highway, which connects San Cristóbal with Santo Domingo, is one of the busiest routes in the country and unfortunately has become one of the most dangerous. The road, 24 kilometers long and four lanes (two in each direction), registers a high rate of fatal traffic accidents, many of them involving public transport buses, motorcycles and heavy vehicles, such as trucks and trucks.
Despite being a strategic route for the transportation of people and goods, the lack of control, regulation and adequate maintenance keeps it in conditions of high risk for users.
A problem that has not been resolved for decades.
Insecurity on this road is not a recent problem. For years, multiple factors that contribute to accidents have been reported:
- Lack of police surveillance: The presence of agents from the General Directorate of Traffic and Land Transportation Security (DIGESETT) is limited, allowing drivers to drive recklessly, without immediate consequences.
- Road conditions: In several sections, the road has deteriorated pavement, insufficient or damaged signage, and lack of adequate lighting, factors that increase the risk of accidents, especially at night.
- Reckless drivers: Bus drivers often stop anywhere to pick up and drop off passengers, perform reckless maneuvers, and compete for riders. These practices represent a constant danger to other vehicles and pedestrians.
- Lack of adequate infrastructure: The road lacks designated areas for safe pedestrian crossing, as well as specific lanes for motorcycles, resulting in a dangerous mix of heavy, light and pedestrian traffic.
Alarming statistics
According to preliminary data collected by road safety organizations, the Sánchez highway registers an annual average of more than 50 serious accidents, leaving at least 30 dead and hundreds of injured. Heavy vehicles and motorcycles account for 65% of accidents, while collisions between buses and cars account for 25%.
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A study carried out by the National Road Safety Observatory in 2022 identified the Sánchez Highway as one of the 10 most dangerous roads in the country. It was estimated that 40% of accidents occur on stretches of Quita Sueño and Doña Ana, where traffic is denser and regulation non-existent.
Recent accidents highlighting the severity
On October 26, a tragic accident in the Doña Ana sector left 10 people injured. The incident occurred when a bus on the Vicente Noble-Tamayo route collided with a truck at a poorly marked intersection, causing a cargo truck to pass over the truck and end up overturned. The lack of traffic lights and signage at this intersection was identified as one of the main causes of the accident.
Another large accident occurred on November 29, 2023, in Quita Sueño, Bajos de Haina. A truck crashed into a passenger bus, leaving six dead and dozens injured.
The collision, which ended with the truck overturning in some bushes, generated vehicular chaos that required the intervention of several units of the Fire Department and emergency personnel. This case once again highlighted the lack of preventive measures on the road.
Comparison of the Sánchez Highway with other roads
Unlike the Sánchez highway, other main roads in the country have greater regulation and control. The 6 de Noviembre highway, which connects Santo Domingo with the deep south, and the Juan Pablo Segundo highway, which leads to Samaná, are better equipped with speed radars, reducers, and a constant presence of traffic agents. These measures have contributed to reducing accidents on these routes.
The motorcycle, another actor in the road chaos
The massive use of motorcycles on the Sánchez highway represents another important challenge. In the Quita Sueño section, where numerous accesses converge, motorcycles are frequent protagonists of accidents. According to data from 2023, 45% of accidents in this area involve motorcycles, mainly due to reckless maneuvers, excessive speed and failure to use protective helmets.
Urgent proposals to improve security
The authorities are called to act immediately to reduce accidents on this road. Among the measures that could be implemented are:
- Increase in the presence of traffic agents: The DIGESETT It must reinforce surveillance and establish speed controls and inspection points in the most problematic sections.
- Infrastructure improvement: It is crucial to repair the pavement, install adequate signage, build pedestrian crossings and enable exclusive lanes for motorcycles.
- Regulation of public transport: Stops must be designated and monitored to prevent buses from stopping anywhere. In addition, penalties must be imposed on drivers who perform dangerous maneuvers.
- Awareness campaigns: It is essential to educate drivers and pedestrians about traffic rules, emphasizing the importance of respecting signs and avoiding risky behavior.
Without immediate measures, the Sánchez highway will continue to be a scene of tragedies. It is time for the authorities to prioritize the safety of this important road, for the benefit of the thousands of users who travel through it daily.
