One of the Listin's columnists recounted a recent trip to Spain. Several ex-pats asked him to pass along serious issues that Leonel should address on their behalf.
The expats want their Dominican licenses to be recognized as valid in Spain and elsewhere in Europe. The licenses of many many other countries are so recognized. The reasons cited for the request are understandable. With driving priviliges, the expat Dominicans would have access to jobs such as trucking, construction, or as taxistas that are now closed to them. I have to ask myself what, other than lack of money, prevents them getting local licenses. The answer of course is lack of driving knowledge, and in some cases, inability to read the Spanish language exams. I am disappointed to admit that I can't honestly support homologizing (recognizing) Dominican driver's licenses in Europe.
This made me think of the three horrific accidents I saw on the way to work this morning. I travel about 7 miles. The rain was likely a contributing factor but it doesn't begin to explain how the number one cause of death in a country with relatively few motor vehicles and few roads that permit highway speeds could be traffic accidents. But, it is the sad truth.
Another issue is the phenomenon of expatriate Dominican adolescents who routinely must be placed with children up to two years younger than themselves in Spanish schools because of the woeful state of the Dominican educational system. Upon arrival, the Dominican children are utterly unprepared to function at their age level within the European school systems. The number one are of deficiency was identified as "grammar." That translates to American English as: basic skills, or "the three Rs"
The expats want their Dominican licenses to be recognized as valid in Spain and elsewhere in Europe. The licenses of many many other countries are so recognized. The reasons cited for the request are understandable. With driving priviliges, the expat Dominicans would have access to jobs such as trucking, construction, or as taxistas that are now closed to them. I have to ask myself what, other than lack of money, prevents them getting local licenses. The answer of course is lack of driving knowledge, and in some cases, inability to read the Spanish language exams. I am disappointed to admit that I can't honestly support homologizing (recognizing) Dominican driver's licenses in Europe.
This made me think of the three horrific accidents I saw on the way to work this morning. I travel about 7 miles. The rain was likely a contributing factor but it doesn't begin to explain how the number one cause of death in a country with relatively few motor vehicles and few roads that permit highway speeds could be traffic accidents. But, it is the sad truth.
Another issue is the phenomenon of expatriate Dominican adolescents who routinely must be placed with children up to two years younger than themselves in Spanish schools because of the woeful state of the Dominican educational system. Upon arrival, the Dominican children are utterly unprepared to function at their age level within the European school systems. The number one are of deficiency was identified as "grammar." That translates to American English as: basic skills, or "the three Rs"