licensing of these drivers is very slack considering the responsibility they have

The driving in this Country is the worst in the world. The drivers do not know how to drive and have little experience in doing so. More, the outright disrespect they have for themselves and others is reflected in the way in which they operate vehicles, whether these be pissolas or autos or buses or trucks. The betrayal of the laws of order and civility is witnessed on the main highways or the smaller streets or on the worst of roads everywhere. I do not know how more people are not killed or maimed from the incredibly poor driving which is seen all over the Island. Very sad for these latest victims.

My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family and friends of Petronila Garcia, Nidia Jiménez, Felix Rosario, Ramon Placido Santos, Ricardo Antonio Vásquez, and particularly to the family of the Haitian who died, Charles Pierre.

R.I.P.

And the driver ran away from the scene of the accident:

Given the treacherous obstacles, hazards and poor engineering for the speed that drivers assume, not to mention the kamikaze style chicken game of passing the leader that seems to be the country's national sport next to baseball. It is amazing that the roads are not littered with more accidents and dead bodies strewn along the highways.
In my 3 years of island crisscrossing adventures from North to South and East to West. I have ruined several rent a cars from hazards in traversing, but more astounding I have seen 6 corpses to date in pedestrian deaths laying on the highway as they wait for police and seen the most incredible wrecks that were most likely loss of control by the drivers and avoidable. Two of the corpse where just on the way to airport from the capital where pedestrians make suicide crossings over the highway dodging the speeding cars. I would like to know how many motoconcho's are killed a day. I would venture to say at least 100 injured and 12 killed likely.

The situation won't change untill a high level polititions family member is killed by the savages that rule the roads of the D.R. I recently went through the incredible process of getting my Dominican drivers liscense of which I had to study for and take a practical driver test. I have been driving internationaly for 39 years. 45 days later they give you the liscense. I can assure you that most locals purchase thier drivers lisc. and take no test.

The bus drivers are by far the most dangerous people outside of prison walls in this country and the officials could care less. They don't just kill one person to rob them, they take out multiple victoms as they have fun driving like stunt drivers and always with their high beams on at night.

The bus unions should have a $50,000,000.00 fund to pay the families of all of the people that they kill anually.

I'm sure that bus had a valid revista issued by a competent inspector after a thorough inspection.

There are traffic laws, but the laws have no teeth. Until we pay our police a living wage they will be forced to find ways to supplement their incomes and unfortunately for us that does not include enforcing the law.

I do not the problem of dangerous and ill mannered driving here has much to do with police wages. I think it is yet another example of lack of education ..actually most drivers are very good especially those on motor cycles but it is the total lack of civility and consideration for other people that is the problem. The lack of good manners is endemic and the statement that ´´ manners maketh man ´´ appears to be unheard of . Just a need for better education.

Ricardolito: You are fortunate and live in the area of La Romana where I have always found most drivers to be somewhat more aware of road etiquette. However, education is certainly important but values, morals and respect for others and oneself far outweigh the intrinsics of education, regarding driving abilities. School in the DR is not a priority except during the period of the election rhetoric. The motorcycle people are not good drivers, just stupid and without fear. They are also always in a hurry to go nowhere and do less when they get there, if they get there. Usually they are the cause of car drivers being in accidents. Manners in this Country are such that it is nothing to urinate anywhere it is needed, which brings much to light as to people's customs and "civilities". It goes on and on. Too bad, as this is a beautiful Country, physically and could be so much more.

If people have a sense that if they do something rude,illegal, or dangerous while driving that they will actually be punished they are much less likely to do it. I agree that the problem goes beyond enforcement. The majority of the people only think in terms of what they want, never do they think of how what they want may impact on others. Nor do they care. This all starts with a lack of education and I know that I, for one, and many others have written ad nauseum about the horrible education system we have here and how desperately we need to improve it.

Dominican Republic revoke any license or watch for point on license

motorcycle people are the big problem in pop.... try and cross a stret they will run you down..... most cant read or write..... forget about driving.....1,000 and 1,000 of motor bikes in pop.... way to many.. s---t more bikes then people...

revoke any license WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO REVOKE?....

I agree 100% i have never seen anything like it in my life. I am so sorry for the loss of these peoples life. I was just passed yesterday by a bus on the right of me heading from the capitol to Bani and in two places i had rocks crack my windshield. I took deep breaths i tried every way to keep my cool because for about ten minutes all i wanted to do was track down this guy drag him from the bus and kick the living sh_t out of him. And i dont know who said it but they are right its always the busses at night that refuse to dim their lights. And not just for my safty. Dim your lights because you can not see the people on the side of the road. It could be your children i plow into because of your stupidity! I consider myself an expert driver and driving here in the DR tests my maximin abilities.

Dannyoo hey im from key largo and am a captain of a seventy seven ft boat and fly small planes. Interesting.

Look here, I agree the DR has one of the worst drivers around. What always surprises me most is how drivers make such life risking driving manuevers, that it always leaves me dumbfounded. How could they dare do the things that they do, I just don't understand. They hold such little regard to the value of their own lives, never mind the lives of others and forget it if an animal crosses the path, they would make no attempt to avoid running over them and if they do, it is probably because they want to prevent damage the vehicle being driven. I see it all the time, pasolas riding in the middle of night, while pitch black, with no lights, no reflectors, drivers wearing dark color clothes and forget about a helmet, simply nothing to prevent someone from killing them. It seems as if they are asking to get killed, suicide drivers, kamikazi killers. But you know something, this reckless driving culture is much more common all over the world, not just limited to the DR alone. It must stop NOW

Of course Danny ..it is all a game to them and all the young guys freely admit that ..the problem is when they graduate from motor bikes to cars they have the same " you look after your self "attitude.. Actually , when I am in Higuey , I have spent quite a few hours sitting and being amazed at the skills of the drivers of the bikes ..I am sure you have heard the saying you give to a bad driver ,,,Estas loco o de Higuey !!

Easyrider,

I have to take that test as well, may ask if you are resident ?

I am wondering if that will speed up the process ?

Thanks,

Jordell

Dangerous road can be popular with tourists. I Remember in the former Yugoslavia there wwas a mountain road littered with wrecks. Quite a challenge. Now Bolivia is taking the leadership:
However North Yungas Road - one of few routes connecting northern Bolivia with capital, therefore its operation does not stop, despite of everything. From the beginning of 1990th years danger of death of road has made its popular among tourists.

Many come here to lift a level of adrenaline in blood, having gone down on an off-road car or a mountain bicycle, reaching somewhere up to 80 km/h. But not everybody come back. Those who has managed to pass after it and to survive, compare this route to conquest of the Everest. And usual inhabitants of Bolivia continue "to try" this road every day.
However North Yungas Road - one of few routes connecting northern Bolivia with capital, therefore its operation does not stop, despite of everything. From the beginning of 1990th years danger of death of ro

Jander;

I have been a legal resident for many years but just now decided to deal with the BS as I tried 3 times before only to get pissed off at the busconies and the corrupt antics that exist. I finally endured the process this time. You have to be willing to become a Kindergarten student for a day & 1/2 to get the piece of plastic.

Motorcycle helmets are for handle bars, not heads. Wheather they're crossing the street, riding a motocycle or driving a vehicle with 4 wheels, the onas is on YOU! It's your fault if you are involved in an accident even though the other person is drunk, driving on the wrong side of the road or crosses the street without even looking first. I've seen it all. Remember if it happens it's not because they screwed up, nooo. Es porque DIOS QUIERE.

I am tired of people in DR driving in the middle of the road! This guy was buzzed coming from a gallera and smashed my BMW X5 in the middle of the turn on the side of a mountain. What is funny is that if his corrola was drivable after the crash, he would have taken off. The only reason he stopped was because his car would not start. Also, drivers in DR never ever admit that the accident was their fault.

Drive an old vehicle defensively with a crash helmet on and be prepared to jump out - most people love rally driving. Pactice going off road to avoid collisions. Only common sense. Rejoice in the battle scars!! If you travel by Carribtours bring a big inflatable cushion for your lap and a Chinese style padded cap! Enjoy the adreniline rush!
S.

It s an accident like it happens everywhere....nothing to comment about...I just feel sorry for the people who get killed...What about the Haitian Dr. the dominicans assassinated earlier this week why there ;s nothing about it on DT?