Red light violations in the Dominican Republic are everyday becoming more common, and now the Metropolitan Transport Authority (AMET) has announced how it plans to deal with the situation. AMET director Major General Jose Anibal Sanz Jiminian told Listin Diario that the Senate is studying the possibility of presenting a bill that would make the payment of traffic fines obligatory, and would establish fines of RD$10,000 for running a red light. Sanz says that at present only 15-20% of drivers who are fined pay the fines. He said that people who do not pay the fines would not be able to cash checks or renew essential documents like passports, driving licenses or ID cards (cedulas). The bill seeks to modify Law 241 on Transit.
Sanz said that in the past 15 months AMET officers have levied over 650,000 fines for traffic violations.
AMET is also proposing to modify the law to oblige public transport vehicle drivers to use seat belts. “The law has to be equal for all,” said Sanz.
He announced the start of a joint nationwide campaign with Listin Diario to encourage safe driving.