Published Thursday, April 15, 2021

Texting, talking on the cell phone, and carrying pets on the legs, are some of the reckless maneuvers explaining the 5,700 fines that Traffic Police officers issued in three months, from January to March, the Ministry of Transportation reported.

Following article No.126 of the Traffic Law, drivers who are fined for making dangerous maneuvers must pay about $180.

Other actions prohibited by law for drivers are: not wearing a seatbelt and not using a booster seat for children under the age of 12. Motorcyclists tend to not wear a helmet or wear it wrong, or transport children under the age of 5.

According to Alberto Barquero, Deputy Director of the Traffic Police, the most recurrent negligent behavior of drivers is not wearing a seat belt.

"All people in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt," Barquero said. "There is still a wrong perception that this safety device should only be used by people in the front seats."

Motorcyclists most common offenses fined by police to 1,293 bikers were for not using their helmet, or incorrectly using it or carrying a person without using the helmet.


One of the offenses that most worries the police is transporting children under 5 years old on a motorcycle. "What hurts more is when adults dare to carry children without a booster in the vehicle or little children on a motorcycle," Barquero said.

According to the law, the fine for carrying children under the age of 5 on a motorcycle is approximately $360, plus the 4 point penalization on the driving record of the person who commits the crime.

Police remind people to report any case of a driver’s risky behavior by calling the 911 emergency line.

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