An editorial in Diario Libre points out again the lenience and laissez-faire attitude of the two government entities in charge of regulating traffic. A recent effort by Intrant via Parqueate Bien is a pilot program with private support. As reported, that effort for private towing can just be a pilot. Intrant had announced the effort on 13 streets would be continued in Naco. But after Diario Libre carried claims of legal violations of the plan, it now seems to be on a standstill, waiting to meet legal requirements.
Diario Libre then points out who will dare? Who will dare take the bull of chaos in parking and traffic and start taking action to stop rampant violations. The newspaper says that the tragedy in Bavaro in which four tourists died is just a reflection of the present chaos. “There has not been until this moment a plan to stop the flagrant violations that some commit and others suffer in front of agents that look the other way,” writes Ines Aizpun, executive editor.
“It is not only in the East, it is a national problem. The power that has been given to those that once were unions, and not are millionaire business people and politicians, has impoverished the country and is a major obstacle to development,” writes the editorialist.
She highlights: The mobility of citizens, freight transport and the livability of cities is worsened by these groups. Public and freight transportation is expensive, dangerous and inefficient because the governments of the last 30 or 40 years have allowed and encouraged it by negotiating with these companies for electoral support.
The editorialist points out how motorcyclists in their newly identified vests take to the sidewalks to bypass traffic with the lenience of Digesett agents. But the situation is already unsustainable. People need to have their own vehicle to get to work or school but traffic has reached the point where it is affecting the economy and mental health of commuters.
“Who is responsible for putting order and security in the streets? Who is going to act in the East? Does anyone really believe that hiding the reality will make it go away?”
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Diario Libre
13 October 2022