Ministry of Interior & Police says government will soon enforce rule that motorcyclists have to use protective helmets

[Dolores]

Interior and Police Minister Faride Raful favored a crackdown on helmet non-compliance during her Monday, 28 April 2025 press conference. While most motorcyclists in the capital city use helmets, those in interior provinces do not, despite the rule being the same for all the country.

Speaking at a press conference following the weekly Citizen Security Plan meeting, Minister Raful emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to foster a culture of responsibility among motorcyclists. “If citizens do not comply with the law and take personal responsibility for their safety, the authorities are limited in their efforts,” she stated, as reported in Listin Diario.

Raful noted that over 75% of traffic fatalities involve motorcyclists, a trend she described as unacceptable. “We cannot continue to lose lives on our roads. That’s why we’re implementing stronger measures, not...

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[PJT]

Enforce is a hollow word in the DR.


Regards,

PJT

 

[drstock]

Enforce is a hollow word in the DR.


Regards,

PJT

Yes, campaigns like this usually last a few weeks and then peter out.

 

[Manuel01]

DEJAVU

 

[Jan]

I am seeing more and motorcycle drivers with proper helmets in my area. And most of them even have the chin straps connected.

 

[monfongo]

I'd like to see forced to abide by the same driving laws as four wheel vehicles.

 

[JD Jones]

From one extreme to the other. Bicycle retained for no helmet. Odd, since they've been told they cannot retain vehicles.

https://x.com/i/status/1916990765060001874

BTW, this is what the law says:

Article 251 of Law 63-17 explicitly prohibits cyclists and motorcyclists (and their passengers) from riding without protective helmets. The fact that officers are focusing their efforts on the lesser evil (cyclists) rather than the greater evil (motorcyclists) may be objectionable, but the law is there.

 

[chicagoan14]

I am seeing more and motorcycle drivers with proper helmets in my area. And most of them even have the chin straps connected.

I love the baseball helmets

 

[Peterj]

Just funny...

 

[CristoRey]

Get caught riding with no helmet here in Santiago and you have a real headache to deal with. It's been being enforced here in Santiago since 2016 around the time the last mayor took office.

 

[DrNoob]

I am in a different Asian country and just got fined because the passenger in my motorbike was without a helmet. They even texted me so that I could pay the fine sooner. I wish this was the case with number-recognizing cameras (ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras in UK) in the DR. The DR government would be richer quickly, no need for tax rises !

 

[drstock]

From one extreme to the other. Bicycle retained for no helmet. Odd, since they've been told they cannot retain vehicles.

https://x.com/i/status/1916990765060001874

BTW, this is what the law says:

Article 251 of Law 63-17 explicitly prohibits cyclists and motorcyclists (and their passengers) from riding without protective helmets. The fact that officers are focusing their efforts on the lesser evil (cyclists) rather than the greater evil (motorcyclists) may be objectionable, but the law is there.

I suppose bicycles are easier to stop and catch!

 

[JD Jones]

I am in a different Asian country and just got fined because the passenger in my motorbike was without a helmet. They even texted me so that I could pay the fine sooner. I wish this was the case with number-recognizing cameras (ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras in UK) in the DR. The DR government would be richer quickly, no need for tax rises !

They are in the process of doing that now.

 

[irishpaddy]

IF the police were to enforce this it would be comical ....95% of the cops dont wear helemts ........Maybe the higher ups should tell their own to start wearing helmets

 

[NanSanPedro]

Who cares if they wear helments or not? It's their decision that effects only themselves. Maybe have them stay off the sidewalks and ride with traffice might be a higher priority?

 

[reilleyp]

Who cares if they wear helments or not? It's their decision that effects only themselves. Maybe have them stay off the sidewalks and ride with traffice might be a higher priority?

It may be to keep people who cannot pay their bill out of the emergency room. It may make more sense to enforce traffic laws like wheelies and speeding. These guys in Samana rarely ride on two wheels. They are constantly full throttle doing wheelies. If this costs the government money, then enforce traffic laws, but requiring plastic nazi helmets will not protect these guys.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Anything enforced in Dominican is because it's revenue-generating racket. No one in the country cares about road safety.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

I am in a different Asian country and just got fined because the passenger in my motorbike was without a helmet. They even texted me so that I could pay the fine sooner. I wish this was the case with number-recognizing cameras (ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras in UK) in the DR. The DR government would be richer quickly, no need for tax rises !

What's a different Asian country. I guess it's not your run of the mill Asian country.

 

[marcosalm]

Get caught riding with no helmet here in Santiago and you have a real headache to deal with. It's been being enforced here in Santiago since 2016 around the time the last mayor took office.

Really??????

 

[melphis]

I know the DR government is slow but April jokes are on the first of the month not the 28th.
But I still find it very amusing they say this stuff with a straight face.