The director of the National Institute of Traffic and Ground Transport (Intrant), Franchesca de los Santos says they will be enforcing traffic rules that establish that trucks and other cargo vehicles need to keep to the right on multi-lane roadways. It is common to see large trucks permanently occupying the left lane on main roadways when this should be used exclusively for passing. This is just one of several other regulations the Intrant is publicizing in the agency’s push to improve road and highway safety. However, Intrant did not explain how they are going to enforce the new ruling.
The obligation to drive on the right has always been in local driving rules. When Law 241-67 was published it already specified that cargo vehicles need to drive on the right.
The announcement of the trucks and the left lane coincides with an editorial in Listin Diario, titled “The Untouchables” on the dangerous practice of truck drivers who insist on using the left lane, forcing other vehicles to pass these trucks on the right.
The editorial in the Listin Diario on 13 October 2018 stated:
“It cannot be alleged that the drivers do not know this rule. Drivers know this rule well, but they do not respect it because here no authority has been able to stop them and fine them for the infraction. These truck drivers are under the impression these traffic laws are never enforced and they are immune to any legal penalty. In truth, they have every right to feel impunity, because the lack of the intent of the government to enforce our nation’s traffic laws. Thus, truck drivers do essentially what they want, a privilege that millions of Dominican citizens do not enjoy yet as only these have reached the highest category of ‘owners of the country’ “..
Traffic experts have been critical of the delays in Intrant implementing rulings contained in Law 63-17 that replaced Law 241-67. The Dominican Republic is a global leader in traffic accidents in great part for the lenient application of traffic laws by local authorities.
Motorcycles are involved in 64% o the mortal accidents in the country. Sunday is the day when most accidents occur.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
15 October 2018
