The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) now says 19 persons died in traffic accidents during the Christmas holidays — Friday, 22 December through Monday, 25 December 2023. COE says that most of the dead were involved in crashes with motorcyclists.
Furthermore, COE reported 338 persons were attended at hospitals due to alcohol intoxication or food poisoning.
The COE assisted 5,187 persons on the road, of which 125 were involved in traffic accidents. Of these 92 were involved in crashes with motorcyclists. Of the 19 people who died, 14 in motorcycle accidents.
COE director Juan Manuel Méndez, once again called out to motorcyclists to use protective helmets and drive with care. He also urged parents to take care to avoid minors being intoxicated by alcohol beverages.
Francisco Ozoria de la Cruz, director of the General Traffic and Land Transportation Agency (Digesett), pointed out that it is the citizen’s responsibility to become aware and drive appropriately, as reported in Diario Libre.
Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo, San Pedro de Macoris and San Cristobal were the provinces with the most accidents.
The second phase of the holiday safety operation will start on Saturday, 30 December, at 2pm and will last through Monday, 1 January 2024.
Dominicans living in major cities in recent years have increasingly traveled to beach and mountain resort areas to spend the holidays and find relief from stressful living. This leaves the cities free of traffic congestion. Those hitting the road should drive on the defensive and when possible avoid peak travel times such as the afternoons on Friday, 29 December and Monday, 1 January 2024.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
El Dia
El Caribe
27 December 2023