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Amet issued 316,346 traffic tickets in one year
posted on: Apr 12 2011 8:58 by The Reporter. Viewed 634 times.
The Dominican Metropolitan Transportation Authority (AMET) issued 316,
346 traffic tickets from March 15, 2010 until March 15, 2011, according to a report that shows the most penalized infractions were riding a motorcycle without a helmet, and driving without a seat belt.
This report comes at a time when polling firm Asisa Research published the results of a study which states that 65% of drivers admit to breaking Dominican traffic laws regularly. This research was conducted last March on 391 drivers across the country.
The Asisa study includes as one of the most common violations, talking or "texting" on cell phones while driving, an offence committed by 28 percent of the survey´s respondents.
According to the survey, 10 percent of drivers admitted to having a traffic accident in the last two years due to talking, emailing or "texting" on a mobile phone. Also 26 percent of respondents admitted driving their cars without a seat belt at least once a day. The same percentage also admitted speeding through traffic lights while on amber.
The investigation also revealed that one in four drivers engaged in "reckless overtaking" at least once a day while driving their cars. Similarly, 24 percent of respondents ignored the red traffic lights daily. Meanwhile, among the most serious offenses punishable by Amet, is riding without a helmet, in the case of motorcyclists, with 32,460 fines.
Similarly, 26,928 fines were issued for driving without a seatbelt, and driving without a driver's license, clocked up 25,764 penalties.
Amet's report shows that 25,067 tickets were issued by Amet agents across the country for red lights violation. Jose Jaquez, director of Amet public relations told reporters, referring to the traffic problems in the country, that ideally they should not need to supervise anyone to achieve compliance with traffic law, but added that unfortunately it was necessary due to the many violations by citizens.
"We are giving lectures, courses and educational spots on TV, so that people understand how to drive with civility in the Dominican Republic," said Jaquez.
In the study conducted by Asisa, 23 percent of respondents said they often drive their vehicles daily in the wrong direction or on the wrong side of a road. For this offense, Amet issued 18,137 fines, while they issued 15,168 for driving through prohibited areas.
In the National District and the Northwest, the least daily infringements wwre committed, according to Asisa, with percentages of 17.3% and 15.6% breaking the law, respectively.
According to the study, the provinces of Santo Domingo and Santiago are home to the largest percentage of offenders per day, with 33.4% and 30% respectively. While 14 percent admitted to nearly having an accident.
The research showed that 40% of respondents agreed respect for Amet agents has declined in recent years and 27% said that it remains the same as before.
53% of respondents said that the traffic situation in the country has improved with the construction of more efficient roads and infrastructure. Of this, 65% of drivers said the construction of tunnels and elevated roads significantly improved transit in the country.
Meanwhile, 62% of respondents said that traffic in the country has improved following the construction of Santo Domingo´s Metro, referring to both the first and the second line of the rail service.
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