The Dominican Nursing Professionals Association (Codopenf) has issued a urgent call for the government to implement a nationwide prevention campaign to curb the rising number of traffic accidents.
Berta de la Cruz, president of Codopenf, expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of fatalities and injuries caused by traffic accidents in the Dominican Republic. She criticized authorities for merely citing statistics on casualties without taking meaningful action to address the crisis.
“It is disheartening to see that the government only seems interested in providing figures on the number of victims, while people continue to lose their lives on our roads,” said De la Cruz.
According to the National Institute of Transit and Ground Transport (Intrant), motorcyclists and pedestrians accounted for a staggering 85% of traffic fatalities in 2018. The situation has not improved, with nearly 2,000 deaths reported in 2023 alone.
The recent holiday season saw a particularly alarming spike in traffic accidents, with the emergency operations center reporting a 46% increase in fatalities, primarily involving motorcyclists.
De la Cruz emphasized the need for enforcement of traffic laws and a comprehensive approach to road safety. She called on the government to implement policies that penalize reckless driving and protect vulnerable road users.
“The government must act now to prevent further loss of life on our roads,” she urged. “We need a comprehensive strategy that includes education, enforcement and infrastructure improvements.”
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Diario Libre
13 January 2025