Visitors to the Dominican Republic will notice vehicles stopped at a red light waiting for the change. They will also notice how regularly from out of no where a motorcyclist will zoom forward and openly violate the red light stop sign. There may even be a Digesett officer on the corner or directing traffic, but the traffic agent most likely will ignore any violation by the motorcyclist. There is an unwritten law in effect that states that traffic laws are not for motorcyclists.
A story in El Nacional looks into this new normal in traffic in the Dominican Republic. The feature recalls that motorcyclists are involved in 80% of all traffic accidents. The matter gets worse. If the case gets to court, the judges regularly act in favor of the motorcyclist, regardless of whether the person had blatantly violated the law causing the accident.
After an incident when a motorcyclist mob ganged up against a truck driver in Santiago, more people are questioning why the authorities do not require motorcyclists to comply with the traffic laws.
DGII stats indicate there are at least 3.5 motorcycles in circulation.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nacional
El Nacional
29 April 2026