Drivers File Complaints
Against Traffic
Officials
Statistics by the
Ministerio de Obras
Públicas y Transportes
reveals that two
Tránsito (traffic
officials) are
sanctioned every week.
For the period of
January 1 and July 18 of
this year, 58 Tránsito
officials were suspended
between 1 and 30 days,
for non completion of
duties. Some lost their
jobs completely.
Viviana Martín, vice-
minister of Transportes,
said that the sanctions
come from drivers who
file charges against
Tránsito officials for
various reasons,
including abuse of
authority, offending
drivers with insults,
abandoning their post or
for taking bribes.
Figures of the
Departamento de
Inspección Policial
indicate that at the
middle of July there
were 309 administrative
proceedings against
officials.
The figures also show
that 206 Tránsitos have
been cleared of all
charges this year,
mainly due to lack of
proof.
Germán Marín, director
of the Policía de
Tránsito, said that the
numbers are not alarming
when considering that
the police organization
has 800 officers.
"I don't consider it a
high number. There are
many good officers,
others very good and
excellent. Yes, me must
improve", said Marín.
Marín added that it
necessary to sanction
and pull out the bad
elements.
"During the last 14
months we have kept an
eye open on corruption,
but I can say that that
is in the minority",
said Marín, adding that
there is a severe fight
against corruption at
Tránsito.
Marín added that many
drivers complain about
Tránsitos for any little
thing and then don't
show up at the hearings.
The Tránsito chief said
that in February of this
year, for example, there
were 30 charges filed,
but only three came
forth at the hearing.
According to Marín, in
many cases, drivers
lodge complaints against
Tránsitos as a reaction
to getting a ticket.
The MOPT is waiting on
the approval by the
Legislative Assembly of
the reforms to the
traffic laws that would
see the addition of 400
more Tránsitos and
harsher fines and
penalties, especially
for drinking and driving
and speeding, the two
leading causes of fatal
accidents.
Marín also informed that
Tránsito has now 13 new
vehicles and is waiting
on 40 new motorcycles to
better patrol the roads. |
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