SANTO DOMINGO.- Many commuters faced delays Wednesday morning when Transit (Amet) Police ramped their crackdown against drivers of the popular ‘concho’ cars (publicos), and of motorcycles, who often drive without a license, insurance and whose vehicles are often in dismal conditions.
On the corner of 27 de Febrero with Dr. Defillo, one of the drivers tried to make a run for it, but a coordinated blockade quickly brought him to a stop and the vehicle impounded.
The concho drivers nearby complained of the action, whereas many passengers awaiting at a bust stop couldn’t hide their satisfaction with the crackdown against those groups which often drive recklessly.
Written by: telemeco, 17 Jun 2009 7:42 AM
From: United States, Paterson, New Jersey
they need to remove all those idiot driving in those 1970 car..they are reckless and dangerous
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
I hope this is motivated by safety and not raising revenues
Written by: Smili3, 17 Jun 2009 7:47 AM
From: United States, Florida
Dont they have speed Limits?
I think that those big trucks that
be passing by really need to slow
way down, they cause most accidents.
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
smiley have you ever seen a police car on the highway enforcing speed or safety regulations and not shaking people down for beer money
From: United States
What ever happened to the Pollito's that were distributed by the DR government?
Gone to some officals house and repainted!
A corrupt society.
Written by: mrios, 17 Jun 2009 8:57 AM
From: United States
Gentle Men,
Every time I drive in the DR I rent the smallest most fuel efficient car possible. It does have it's draw backs like avoiding a Traffic Accident [your Family's lives on in your hands] so I take EXTRA CAUTION by obeying the rules of the Roads posted or not, DEFENSIVE DRIVING. Have I been stopped, yes ! numerous times I just carry extra fruits in the car for those pay-offs, since they claim low wages and I always find them hungry, I give them a mango or two.
In my opinion instead of complete Traffics stops why not do random Traffic stops in order to sway the General Public's support.
In force the Traffic Laws, when violators are stopped then ask for Drivers Lic, Reg. and do complete safety inspection, proof of insurance and when possible cite and or tow. So it becomes Enforcement not Harassment.
ENFORCE THE ENFORCERS and restore Public CONFIDENCE.
Revenues collected can then be used for higher pay and Road construction.
Written by: Juango, 17 Jun 2009 9:04 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Amet has not done it's job for the past 7 years. Why start now? They need a different approach, something effective. Example: Make announcements in all medias, that beginning on a certain date, AMET will confiscate any vehicle that does not meet a set of Standards:
1) Vaild DL
2) Proof of Vaild Insc. (Min by law or greater), Marbete & Revista
3) Safe Vehicle (Brakes, Lights, Bumpers, Horn, Wipers, etc.)
Amet shall Impound all vehicles for 2 weeks (No exceptions), then owner must show proof repairs/updates within another 2 weeks after car is released. If not, or if caught once again without repairs, car will be imponded for 4 months no exception (owner pay all impound charges (Tow truck, storage, etc) and fines. This will certainly get people to conform.
Written by: Juango, 17 Jun 2009 9:10 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Plus award Amet $50 pesos (at the end of each shift) for every proper/valid citation they write. For every moto/pasola they write-up, they get 25 pesos. No limit on rewards. Citation must be written properly and signed accordingly by violater, with a digital pic (Driver and Infractions), as proof.
Written by: xwill7, 17 Jun 2009 9:53 AM
From: United States, Chicago
Good idea juango. Those clunkers are bad.. they dont care if they hit your car because most concho drivers rent the car from someone else.
Miro a small care is not that great in DR. Too many people in SUV's driving too fast. The highlander, rav4, and crv are pretty good on gas. I always keep some loose change in my SUV and give that to the cops... Fruits inside of a hot car in the sun all day will not smell nice the next day. lol
Written by: juanb, 17 Jun 2009 10:03 AM
From: Dominican Republic
Juango:
While some would ask why we have to pay someone to do the job for which they are paid, I think your ideas are terrific.
From: Dominican Republic
Written by: JimHarrington, 17 Jun 2009 8:48 AM
From: United States
What ever happened to the Pollito's that were distributed by the DR government?
Gone to some officals house and repainted!
A corrupt society.
_________________________________________________________
Pimping hookers in Sosua!
Written by: xwill7, 17 Jun 2009 10:07 AM
From: United States, Chicago
I know people that have been stopped with open beer bottles in their cup holders and AMET does nothing. They just bring it to your attention so you can give them some extra $$$
From: Dominican Republic
Written by: Smili3, 17 Jun 2009 7:47 AM
From: United States
Dont they have speed Limits?// LMAO thats to impress the tourists with signs and street lights.
I think that those big trucks that
be passing by really need to slow
way down, they cause most accidents.///You should see them going through main small street in cabarete, its like trying to cross I95.
Written by: xwill7, 17 Jun 2009 10:11 AM
From: United States, Chicago
caribe tour buses are the worst. they do not respect and fly by you in the middle of the road. If you do not move to the right they will hit you
From: United States, Brooklyn
These concho cars consume to much petro.....
Written by: xwill7, 17 Jun 2009 10:47 AM
From: United States, Chicago
actually most concho cars run on propane and have small 4 cyl engines. its the reckless driving, unsafe cars, and pollution that is the problem.
From: Canada
I'd bet that safety concerns have very little to do with this "crackdown".
Besides the obvious potential of a cash grab by AMET, if enough people are inconvenienced, they might start using the Metro instead. Again, funneling more money in that direction.
Written by: zooma, 17 Jun 2009 11:49 AM
From: United States
The read on this,the agenda is there has been a shortfall in tax revenue, not a crackdown on drivers. The government goes after the easy targets, the vehicle operators, to fill the government coffers with revenue quickly obtained from fines. The drivers will pay in order to stay in business.
If the government was really interested in reducing the dismal, undocumented, and uninsured vehicles, there would be a crackdown 24/7.
Once the government's revenue collection gets into the black, it will be back to business as normal. The heck with public safety.
Written by: Juango, 17 Jun 2009 12:05 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
zooma, you are 100% correct. Gov. is ooking for a quick stream of revenue they can tap into.
Written by: mrios, 17 Jun 2009 12:08 PM
From: United States
xwill7,
When in the DR I drive with eyes on the back of my head and always trying to predict what the other driver next moves, and if you think DR drivers are bad with Traffic violations try driving in South Korea for a while, at least there one has to up-keep your car with repairs, Insurance and Registration and are urged to purchase a new one every other year, also one is not allowed to drive crashed,old or ugly cars........OOP's ! I hope OH'BLAMA does not read the later.
Regarding Fruits: When driving in the DR with my Family those extra fruits in the car also come in handy for the kids to eat and are consumed quickly, besides some times it's just not safe to pull over for Road Fruit stands for safety reasons. My Family and I love mangoes, especially from Bani.
Written by: xwill7, 17 Jun 2009 12:38 PM
From: United States, Chicago
miros,
I hear you. I drive pretty fast in DR but I make sure that my care is running good with good brakes. Many times the drivers are good they just dont look to the side when avoiding pot holes. They should make a law that if you are a concho you car should look in ok shape from the outside. For a country that has so many luxury SUV's they sure have alot of clunkers
Written by: Taino871, 17 Jun 2009 6:35 PM
From: United States
Guy's please keep in mind that some of these drivers are legit and trying to feed mouths! Not all of them are crooked as many people say. I am from Puerto Rico, and I visit Santo Domingo as much as possible and it is where I intend to retire. It's truly not as bad as some people make it out to be. Yes! You do have crooked cop's BUT that's everywhere not just in D.R.. People please, this is our fatherland. Patria!
Written by: Juango, 17 Jun 2009 7:14 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Taino, if you are from PR, why do you claim the DR as "our fatherland" and "Patria" you say! Why wait till retirement, just go to the DR now and work for the betterment of the Dominican society as a Dominican citizen. You carry a US Passport, be proud of it !
From: Dominican Republic, Boycott Dominican Tourism
There are a lot of Puerto Ricans of Dominican decent, Anyway compare Dominicans in PR to Puerto Ricans in DR...
From: United States
Lo' tigeres y sus malditas motoras... those guys must hate life- they will jump out right in front of you- best check your breaks!
Written by: Taino871, 18 Jun 2009 7:27 AM
From: United States
Juango , you are right in saying that , but I am but 2 years away from completion of 30 years. When I got to the U.S. as a very young man I didn't even have a job in Puerto Rico let alone Your and my beloved DR. Mi Esposa of 34 years is from Santiago, and we could never live the way do if we both went back home. We did the next best thing we raised our children put them through college, We saved our "Cheles" sent then back home and built a home we could never have afforded here in the states. Juango, Do you think it a bad thing? Thank you.
Written by: Juango, 18 Jun 2009 9:15 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
Taino, you have done well and are to be congratulated. I wish you well. I just hope the DR is stable and prosperous whenever you decide to move in 2-3 years. Good luck to you and family.
Written by: xwill7, 18 Jun 2009 10:01 AM
From: United States, Chicago
If taino has that US gov check flowing in each month and has no mortgage on his house, then he will live like a king no matter how stable DR is. Tiano, those are my plans as well. good luck
Written by: Juango, 18 Jun 2009 10:25 AM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
xwill, sorry to diagree with you. Live well yes, but not like a King. To live like a "King" in the DR (SD or Stgo) you need big money. There are an number of Kings living in both major cities, and I can assure you they do not live on Gov. Cks. These folks spend >$10+K USD/mo to live like "Kings", and they have no house payment. Everything is relative. During my last 3 years in the DR, I spent an avg. of $3-3.5K/mo (home paid for, no family) and still did not come close to live like a King. About 15 years ago, I lived very well on $3K/mo, but no longer true.
Written by: xwill7, 18 Jun 2009 12:00 PM
From: United States, Chicago
Juan,
yes in Santiago and SD you need more $$$. I always end up epending around $2-3k per week to live like a king in Santiago. But he can live very well if he builds a house in a nice campo. He can hire maids for around $100USD per month
Written by: Taino871, 18 Jun 2009 9:54 PM
From: United States
Xwill7 and Juango, I don't want to live like a king. But I do want to live comfortable. My wife and I plan on opening a grocery type store in D.r., but again I wish you all well because after all we are all Brothers and sisters in the same struggle pobre pero Feliz. God bless brothers!
Written by: xwill7, 19 Jun 2009 10:01 AM
From: United States, Chicago
grocery store??? Thats good but you need a very very good security guard team
Written by: Taino871, 19 Jun 2009 6:32 PM
From: United States
I am a police officer here in New Jersey and I am or should I say will be allowed to "arm" myself . But my idea is to bring a Quick check franchise to D.R. . Gringos are not the only people to make themselves better, We all can!I understand and appreciate all you brothers and sisters are saying but Why not try? We can never say we didn't try. And my governent checks Will Not allow me to live like a king I know that but I know we(my wife and I) can give our inlaws a better life. Juano, Xwill, the first red bull will be on me! God bless guys. T
Written by: mrios, 21 Jun 2009 10:53 AM
From: United States
Taino871,
Ola Brother, I myself plan to relocate to the DR with in a couple years if not sooner to some beach property I own and build a house. You like I wish we were rich, but that's O.K as for me more only means more headaches. We've in the U.S have been conditioned to believe happiness is gauged by what ones possessions "Welcome to the RAT RACE" as for me my soon Gov. checks I would be unable to live with out worries in the U.S but in the DR now that's a different story. I always dreamed of living the way Man was supposed to "TAKE ONLY WHAT IS NEEDED TO SURVIVE, NO MORE" grow my own fruits and veggies, power my house with wind / solar, fish when needed, retain and filter rain water and some live stock. To me that is happiness.
AS FAR AS PROTECTION........I have GOD and hopefully my S&W.
Thank you & GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS.
Written by: Taino871, 21 Jun 2009 11:13 AM
From: United States
Mr Rios, you and I share the same dream brother and God always provides! Don't be surprised if You,Juango and Xwill meet on the Island share some cold ones and shoot the bull! Let the wives do some home cooking and eat and be happy for We are blessed!
Written by: mrios, 22 Jun 2009 2:08 AM
From: United States
Taino871,
God always provides Brother. Some People worry about things they don't have, but want, I worry at what means are they willing to go to obtain it, then what ? Family, knowledge of life, age and BELIEF IN GOD ALMIGHTY are always a firm foundation for a fulfilling life. I currently live in the South / West of the U.S.
P.S that sounds good, let us not forget Belly and many of our other Brothers.
Take care.
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I think that those big trucks that
be passing by really need to slow
way down, they cause most accidents.
Gone to some officals house and repainted!
A corrupt society.
Every time I drive in the DR I rent the smallest most fuel efficient car possible. It does have it's draw backs like avoiding a Traffic Accident [your Family's lives on in your hands] so I take EXTRA CAUTION by obeying the rules of the Roads posted or not, DEFENSIVE DRIVING. Have I been stopped, yes ! numerous times I just carry extra fruits in the car for those pay-offs, since they claim low wages and I always find them hungry, I give them a mango or two.
In my opinion instead of complete Traffics stops why not do random Traffic stops in order to sway the General Public's support.
In force the Traffic Laws, when violators are stopped then ask for Drivers Lic, Reg. and do complete safety inspection, proof of insurance and when possible cite and or tow. So it becomes Enforcement not Harassment.
ENFORCE THE ENFORCERS and restore Public CONFIDENCE.
Revenues collected can then be used for higher pay and Road construction.
1) Vaild DL
2) Proof of Vaild Insc. (Min by law or greater), Marbete & Revista
3) Safe Vehicle (Brakes, Lights, Bumpers, Horn, Wipers, etc.)
Amet shall Impound all vehicles for 2 weeks (No exceptions), then owner must show proof repairs/updates within another 2 weeks after car is released. If not, or if caught once again without repairs, car will be imponded for 4 months no exception (owner pay all impound charges (Tow truck, storage, etc) and fines. This will certainly get people to conform.
Miro a small care is not that great in DR. Too many people in SUV's driving too fast. The highlander, rav4, and crv are pretty good on gas. I always keep some loose change in my SUV and give that to the cops... Fruits inside of a hot car in the sun all day will not smell nice the next day. lol
While some would ask why we have to pay someone to do the job for which they are paid, I think your ideas are terrific.
From: United States
What ever happened to the Pollito's that were distributed by the DR government?
Gone to some officals house and repainted!
A corrupt society.
_________________________________________________________
Pimping hookers in Sosua!
From: United States
Dont they have speed Limits?// LMAO thats to impress the tourists with signs and street lights.
I think that those big trucks that
be passing by really need to slow
way down, they cause most accidents.///You should see them going through main small street in cabarete, its like trying to cross I95.
These concho cars consume to much petro.....
Besides the obvious potential of a cash grab by AMET, if enough people are inconvenienced, they might start using the Metro instead. Again, funneling more money in that direction.
If the government was really interested in reducing the dismal, undocumented, and uninsured vehicles, there would be a crackdown 24/7.
Once the government's revenue collection gets into the black, it will be back to business as normal. The heck with public safety.
When in the DR I drive with eyes on the back of my head and always trying to predict what the other driver next moves, and if you think DR drivers are bad with Traffic violations try driving in South Korea for a while, at least there one has to up-keep your car with repairs, Insurance and Registration and are urged to purchase a new one every other year, also one is not allowed to drive crashed,old or ugly cars........OOP's ! I hope OH'BLAMA does not read the later.
Regarding Fruits: When driving in the DR with my Family those extra fruits in the car also come in handy for the kids to eat and are consumed quickly, besides some times it's just not safe to pull over for Road Fruit stands for safety reasons. My Family and I love mangoes, especially from Bani.
I hear you. I drive pretty fast in DR but I make sure that my care is running good with good brakes. Many times the drivers are good they just dont look to the side when avoiding pot holes. They should make a law that if you are a concho you car should look in ok shape from the outside. For a country that has so many luxury SUV's they sure have alot of clunkers
yes in Santiago and SD you need more $$$. I always end up epending around $2-3k per week to live like a king in Santiago. But he can live very well if he builds a house in a nice campo. He can hire maids for around $100USD per month
Ola Brother, I myself plan to relocate to the DR with in a couple years if not sooner to some beach property I own and build a house. You like I wish we were rich, but that's O.K as for me more only means more headaches. We've in the U.S have been conditioned to believe happiness is gauged by what ones possessions "Welcome to the RAT RACE" as for me my soon Gov. checks I would be unable to live with out worries in the U.S but in the DR now that's a different story. I always dreamed of living the way Man was supposed to "TAKE ONLY WHAT IS NEEDED TO SURVIVE, NO MORE" grow my own fruits and veggies, power my house with wind / solar, fish when needed, retain and filter rain water and some live stock. To me that is happiness.
AS FAR AS PROTECTION........I have GOD and hopefully my S&W.
Thank you & GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS.
God always provides Brother. Some People worry about things they don't have, but want, I worry at what means are they willing to go to obtain it, then what ? Family, knowledge of life, age and BELIEF IN GOD ALMIGHTY are always a firm foundation for a fulfilling life. I currently live in the South / West of the U.S.
P.S that sounds good, let us not forget Belly and many of our other Brothers.
Take care.