Motorcycle transport continues to be the main way Dominicans get around. Yet around 75% of motorcycles in circulation have yet to be registered, despite several government’s enforcement efforts. Diario Libre reports on the dire statistics.
As of February 2024, only 26.80% of the country’s 3,281,018 motorcycles have been officially registered, according to data from the Tax Agency (DGII).
The most recent mandatory registration program, launched in June 2021 in the second year of the Abinader administration, requires motorcyclists to use helmets bearing the motorcycle’s license plate and a unique code. While 879,425 motorcycles have been registered since then, millions more remain unaccounted for, Diario Libre reports.
Regional disparities in registration rates are stark. Provinces like Monte Plata and Santiago Rodríguez have registration rates exceeding 80%, while Santo Domingo and the National District, home to a significant portion of the country’s motorcycles, have registration rates below 50%. The lowest registration rates were found in San José de Ocoa, Montecristi, and Azua.
The government has attributed the low registration rates to various factors, including a lack of awareness and a reluctance among some motorcyclists to comply with the new regulations. Additionally, the influx of unregistered motorcycles into the country has been a persistent challenge. A large number of motorcycles are assembled from parts imported for this purpose.
The government’s most recent initiative aims to address several issues, including the use of motorcycles in criminal activities and the high rate of motorcycle-related accidents. By requiring registration, authorities hope to better track motorcycle ownership and improve road safety.
Lawmakers have also proposed measures to reduce the number of motorcycles entering the country, arguing that the current volume of motorcycles is unsustainable and contributes to traffic congestion and accidents.
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
29 July 2024