Reported traffic accidents are up 50.9% for the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year. There were 996 more road traffic deaths so far this year, compared to 660 by this point last year.
The statistics do not include those that would later die in a hospital after a traffic accident. According to the health authorities, 60% of those taken to hospitals either die or are permanently disabled. Most traffic accident victims are taken to trauma centers such as the Juan Bosch on the Duarte Highway, or Darío Contreras and Ney Arias Lora in Greater Santo Domingo.
By the end of 2018, there were 1,418 deaths in traffic accidents. Drivers violating traffic signals, not using a protective helmet, or driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances cause most accidents.
Doctor Alejandro Soto, deputy director of the Ney Arias Lora hospital, explained that those most affected were aged 14 and 45 years, and of these, the highest percentage were those between 15 and 28 years.
He said that of the around 46,000 people attended in a hospital emergency room so far this year, 10% died as a result of trauma, and 90% of those suffered brain trauma.
15% of the dead in traffic accidents were pedestrians. Deaths happened due to the violation of traffic signals and the lack of a pedestrian culture in the country. Walkers are also to blame for jaywalking when crossing busy streets and not using pedestrian bridges when these are available.
As of December 2018, are 4,350,884 vehicles in the Dominican Republic. Of these 55.1% are motorcycles. In 63% of the accidents, motorcycles are involved.
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Listin Diario
18 September 2019