It is a widely commented fact that driving in the Dominican Republic is risky business. The nation has has been ranked tops in driver fatality rate in the world numerous times. Any one who has ever driven anywhere on the island can understand the reasons why. There is a blatant impunity for respecting driving laws, and speeding and imprudence is the norm.
In 2024, the death rate on Dominican roads was placed at 20.02 per 100,000 inhabitants, a number many would call “inaccurate”. Samana province, for example, posted a traffic fatality rate of 44.96/100,000, and La Altagracia (Higuey, Punta Canta and Bavaro) posted 41.49/100,000. This was followed closely by San Jose de Ocoa at 40.31/100,000.
According to the National Statistics Office (ONE), Santo Domingo province and the National District are “relatively” much safer at 8.31/100,000 and 9.92/100,000, respectively.
But those are not the only scary numbers. The Observatory for Highway Safety recorded 104,466 persons injured in the first eight months of 2025. Nearly 88% of all traffic fatalities are men, and half of these are young men between the ages of 15 and 39 years of age.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
1 December 2025