An in-depth article in Listin Diario lists carelessness as well as the 24/7 traffic jams as the city’s main traffic woes, pointing out that there is no longer a rush hour, changing the city into “a vehicular battlefield.”
According to the article, “nobody gives an inch.” Nothing is impossible including going up a one-way street the wrong way, parking underneath a green traffic light, or passing cars on the right. On the streets of the Dominican capital everything can be seen, giving the impression that there is no law and that anarchy reigns. Driving in the city can be extremely stressful given the carelessness and even recklessness on the part of some drivers.
The newspaper interviewed 10 drivers at several intersections along 27 February Avenue, who all agreed that if everyone respected the traffic laws there would be fewer traffic jams and it would be more less traumatic to drive in the nation’s capital.
Writer Coralis Orbe says that if one stops to observe the traffic in Santo Domingo the first conclusion that might be reached is that if drivers were more respectful of the laws and the rights of others, driving would not become “a cross to bear,” or a challenge.
One young driver, Erick Mendez, noted that changing lanes without any regard for other drivers was a major danger on the city’s streets.
Another person interviewed said that, “the biggest problems that I’ve had are with the taxis. They do not use their signals and change lanes at will.”
Everyone who was interviewed expressed the opinion that if traffic lights were respected and the laws were obeyed there would be fewer accidents and a better driving experience.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/11/19/396758/la-capital-es-un-campo-de-guerra-y-las-armas-son-los-vehiculos