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Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader signed Decree 656-24 this Monday, declaring road safety a national priority and launching the National Road Safety Plan 2025-2030. The plan will be coordinated by Intrant (National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation) and includes a broad agreement signed by several actors, including Milton Morrison of Intrant, Julio Brache of AIRD, David Llibre of Asonahores and other key figures of the Movido Foundation RD. Conatra and Fenatrado.
President Abinader emphasized the government's openness to the collaboration of all sectors to improve road safety. He highlighted the seriousness of the problem, noting that traffic accidents have historically claimed more lives than the pandemic, with more than 26,000 people affected between 2016 and 2024. Most deaths occur on weekends, especially among young people. 25 to 34 years old, concentrated in Greater Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Cristóbal and La Altagracia, home of the largest tourist center in the country, Punta Cana.
The National Road Safety Plan will include technical work tables and workshops to define actions, deadlines and progress indicators. Key measures include the creation of a victim assistance unit, patrols on highways and urban roads, discounts on license costs from January 2025 and the introduction of road safety education in schools. In addition, fines will be digital, driver's licenses will be points-based starting in 2025, and traffic fines will be applied according to Law No. 63-17. These initiatives aim to drive long-term cultural and educational change to improve road safety in the Dominican Republic.