This highway is very deceptive and extremely dangerous when wet all caution should be used it is very unforgiving

The only thing that will solve this problem are driverless cars and we won't have those on the roads until at least 2020.

Speed limits and lane detection cameras would do on the bends. Should be self- financing from fines or else increase the toll a little. Where there are loll booths its easy to control. Dominicans do not seem to be used to driving on fast twisting roads. When there is rain/poor visibility/ at night speed limits can be further reduced. They seem to have found the money for huge and unsightly sings advertising crooked corporations such as Orange to divert drivers. There should be no adverts to divert drivers.
S.

Blutarsky is totally correct ..it is a very deceptive and dangerous road mainly because of the appalling cambers on the corners but also because drivers are lulled into a false security by the relative lack of traffic . But as usual here,there will be a driver using his cell or taking a photo and losing some control over his car.

my condolences for the pupo's family may god be with you all,

this highway is getting a bad reputation. the accidnet happened midmorning with good visibility.the Pupos had arrived the nigth before so they were rested and knew the road.a great loss.my understanding Mr Ramos was an architec working for american airlines.dod be with them.great loss

Yes , I used to drive in the former Yugoslavia - huge accident rate. Only way to reduce it is speed limits, patrols, warnings. Need sme UK advisors squick!
http://www.abd.org.uk/safest_roads.htm
Of course it would help if DR only allowed safe European cars into the country and excluded US death trap autos.
http://www.automatedtransport.com/htmlv03.html
It might be better to replace the road by a railway with car transporter cars or arrange for hire of slow safe electical vehicles at the Samana end.
Road traffic accidents are like a major disease - esily preventable - that US big business prefers to keep out of the headlines.
http://www.safecarguide.com/exp/statistics/statistics.htm
As usual it is the US evil empire that does much to inflict this suffering on people by promoting an auto culture.
S.

UK cars? Japanese are of course the best and safest cars.
But you're right about the American rust buckets — aren't those companies run by the messiah?
How can they be unsafe? All this was supposed to change, no?

I was pointing to the total road system in the UK being safe. Cars, drivers and road system in comparison to other countries. Japanese designed cars are in heavy use in the UK.
Prius is No. 1 selling car in Japan and is steadily increasing safety features:
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2010/toyota/prius/safety/index.html
Europe wide new features can reduce deaths:
http://www.eubusiness.com/topics/....ehicle-safety.02/?searchterm=None
Of course Gen would prefer all people to be free to drive unsafe monsters at whatever speed they choose. Of course rocket/jet boosters dramatically increase acceleration and can be retro-fitted.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/20....sler/pt_cruiser/safety/index.html

S.

Once again ABC post about something he knows nothing about!!!!

People. It was just a car accident.

40,000 plus deaths in the US each year...... How many in DR.? How many can this number be reduced by? How?
aC - answers from your fountain of knowledge please!
S.

My condolences go out to his family. This is very unfortunate and I think that it is extremely unfair for people to make assumptions (that he was drunk) without knowing the facts. This highway is very dangerous and anything could have happened. Also, people who are not familiar with the highways or are not from the DR should refrain from driving in the DR.

he is an imbecile and knows nothing of nothing

abc ..the best way to reduce road fatalities in the DR is not to go by car or bus ..I do not think your comparisons with the UK in most instances have much validity . Most accidents in the DR are caused by lack of concentration and with this comes driver error ..too fast ,wrong side of road ,dangerous passing
I totally agree with BenCardozo that is poor form by writers to assume this young man was drunk ..this is one of the worst designed and constructed highways I have been on and needs to be sign posted in a way that drivers are aware of the dangerous cambering.

Hey "mucho loco", here you go again talking about something you know nothing about and bashing the USA.

It is really too bad that, assuming it isn't a figment of your rather imaginative mind, Tito didn't incarcerate you or execute you during your presumed visit of Yugoslavia. Perhaps the Serbs should have exacted some kind of corporal punishment upon you, for your transgressions.

You totally tick me off. You continually badmouth the USA. What's the matter-were you deported?

It's too bad that guys like you are blind to the follies of the Japanese cars and industry. Don't you know that Toyota has the distinction of the biggest safety recall ever! You should know that Hondas require very expensive periodic maintenance to stay working. Ever done a timing belt change at the dealer? You badmouth American products; however, there are some very good competitive products from GM and Ford. It's too bad that ignorant people won't give these vehicles a try.

MJEV.

Anybody knows what kind of vehicle the deceased was driving? I couldn't find it in the story.

ateo - you are not a judge!
abc - don't try and sell cars!
You don't have to be drunk or drive a "top of the line car" to have... or to avoid an accident in DR.
But it is difficult for tourists to drive in DR. Rather different driving behaviours in too many ways! We have decided, in the las few trips not to rent in some regions. I'ts a pity because it's keeps tourists away from visiting local areas outside their hotel.

US vehicles are not competitive....... how many US Fords go to Japan - a major auto market each year? They ran British Comanies such as Land Rover into the ground with stupid models no-one wanted.
No I served time with major US corporations and observed the total corruption. No transgressions - I supported the Yugos with my tours and visits to the extraordinary innovative ventures and education innovations they had going then. Even now it is rare to find a person from the nations that were formally part of Yugo to criticize Tito strongly. Most praise many achievements. One of my college dissertations was on the development of Albania. Now I agree under Hoxha that place was bad!
Glo - back to the comfort of your beautiful Hummer H1 - replacement might be Chinese soon!
Your not so little cocoon of stupidity!
S.

cf sure I will sell you a car!
A Renault ( state owned ) Zenn. Great for the scenery of the DR!
http://www.terra2imports.ca/import-japan125564971540374.htm
You can charge it with solar panels!
xw should by a Moke - there is one on sale locally - survived all the years!
Great British vehicle! Good for DR.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_Moke
S.

Its too bad Glo is the original latter day Luddite lashing out at me and everything his brain with severely limited powers cannot comprehend! Oh I forgot - the Luddites were respectable people!
His lack of eloquence would disqualify him from being a senior bullshitter for a village blacksmith!
S.

Written by: abc200, 12 Dec 2009 3:55 PM
From: United Kingdom
Dominicans do not seem to be used to driving on fast twisting roads. When there is rain/poor visibility/ at night speed limits can be further reduced.

What the heck are you talking about??? Most roads in DR are fast and twisting... Have you ever been to DR??? Your are crazy this was an accident between a French/German and a Dominican that lives in Florida... Dominicans do know how to drive. Get back into your car with the steering wheel on the passenger side. Fruity cars for fruity people in the UK

Road deaths "twice regional average"
According to statistics presented by the Ground Transport Department (DGTT) and the National Statistics Office (ONE), 7,042 people were killed in traffic accidents between 2004 and 2008 in the DR. The road accident mortality rate is a serious concern for the DR especially when one considers that this figure is twice the regional average, according to the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). PAHO registers the average regional road accident death rate at 16.9 per 100,000 while the DR has one of 30.4 per 100,000. The numbers have been on the rise since 2004 when 1,370 people were killed. In 2005 1,367 people were killed while 1,602 were killed in 2006 and 1,747 in 2007. The year 2008 saw 956 people killed on the roads, but statistics only run up to June. Santo Domingo and the National District are the worst when it comes to reckless driving, with 91,275 registered accidents and 1,860 deaths, while the provinces of San Cristobal, La Altagracia and

and Santiago followed suit with 548, 397 and 366 deaths, respectively. The Autopista Duarte was the scene of the greatest number of accidents, with the Las Americas Highway coming in second and Autopista 6 de Noviembre in third place. According to reports, 90% of accidents are caused by reckless driving and 30% of accidents are caused by drivers between the ages of 14 and 30.
From DR!.com
Enforced speed limits are proved World Wide to reduce deaths. DR figure is TWICE the regional average. So my observation on Dominican driving may not be far from the truth. I stick by it having driven many miles here.
S.

most of the deaths come from motorcycle riders not useing helmets and people that do not wear their seatbelts

They may also look into the fact that the French National driving the other car may have been driving on the wrong side of the highway. In France drivers drive on their left side of the highway, and when they travel they often forget the rules change. Visiting tourists from some Europe Countries often make that mistake.

No doubt several measures are needed to reduce the death toll. For a few days the police here stopped everyone without a helemt and fined all the gringos but soon things were back to normal.
However there is no doubt in my mind that speed is a factor in many accidents and enforced speed limits would reduce the death toll along with seat belts, wearing crash helmets, insisting that motorcycles have working lights, brakes etc.
S.

abc,

You are so right about my limited brains power; however, the miniscule amount remaining is adequate to detect you craziness and lack of common sense in all your commentaries. The funny thing is that is not just me here who sees this....it is everyone-all of us. Period.

MJEV.

Glo
I often get support .... just because you are friends with Blut....... who sits among his pile of broken down TV's Road deaths are especially tragic in developing countries because when a family is left without a breadwinner there is little state support. However you work for an auto related company and make your money partly out the tragic situation of the people being brainwashed into acquiring vehicles in developing countries that all too often turn into their coffin. In many places in the US Auto companies prevented the development of public transport sometimes by violent means. It is a slow process to raise consciousness that these merchants of death need controlling - and I include Toyota. It is of the nature of things that every important idea in the social development of countries has started off only supported by a small minority.
S.

Imbecile of the Year 2009.......Voted almost unanimous abc the quarter wit ......