SANTO DOMINGO.- Since 2010 to date around 4,629 persons have died from traffic accidents and 11,784 injured in Dominican Republic, where 70 percent of victims are men between 15 and 49 years of age.
Just in 2010 there were 2,373 of those deaths in car accidents and a total 5,982 injuries, according to research by the French Government and the Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry, said ex congressman Fausto Araujo, who authored Law 143-01, which prohibits the use of cellphones while driving.
Araujo says its violation has increased through the BB chat.
The current Industrial Competitiveness Development Center (PROINDUSTRIA) technical director revealed that the authorities and experts blame the high number of traffic accidents on the failure of the law, with stresses control on speed, alcohol and drugs consumption and distractions like cell phone use while driving. "More and more traffic accidents occur in the country because of some drivers using, talking or chatting on a cell phone, mobile on highways, avenues, streets and highways of the nation."
Araújo added that a recent study in the United States found that "it’s much more dangerous and risky driving a vehicle while speaking or chatting on a cell or mobile than in an evident state of drunkenness."
Written by: lovingit, 23 Jan 2012 12:05 PM
From: United States, Delaware
Why is BB so big in DR???? RIM (makers of BB) is on it's way to death... Dominicans need to start getting used to the Android and iPhone OSes soon.
From: United States
it is big , because it makes the user look important, and hip.
From: Dominican Republic
even though they have no signal! LOL
Written by: zooma, 23 Jan 2012 1:24 PM
From: United States
What's the worry? If a law is enacted to prohibit the use of a cellphone or other similar device while driving it will go the way of the laws against consuming alcohol while driving. A law is nothing but words on a ghost document no law enforcement person will take on other than for his own personal gain. The laws here have no teeth, in appearance very strong, in action nothing to be concerned about.
Written by: xwill7, 23 Jan 2012 1:34 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
Its big because of the bb pins and you could chat to another bb without wasting minutes or needing wifi.
But I can't be without my Iphone!
From: Dominican Republic
When most driver don't even bother obeying almost all road rules how in hell can they expect people to obey this?? This problem is world wide and even countries with good law enforcement have trouble getting people to obey laws against driving and texting....
From: United States
Written by: stillhere, 23 Jan 2012 1:42 PM
From: Dominican Republic
When most driver don't even bother obeying almost all road rules how in hell can they expect people to obey this?? This problem is world wide and even countries with good law enforcement have trouble getting people to obey laws against driving and texting....
how can you enforce road traffic laws without the option of pursuit?
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 2:35 PM
From: Australia
This is news to me - I didn't know this country has road laws. I'm sure no one else does either.
From: Dominican Republic
option of pursuit?? haven't you driven in Santo Domingo for a while?? unless your on a bike your not going anywhere.... or the pursuit would only be 20 yards to the next jam.... I have never tried texting on a bike....
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 2:52 PM
From: Australia
Dready asks "how can you enforce road traffic laws without the option of pursuit?"
Speed cameras and red-light cameras are a start. In this country similar technology could be used for vehicles going the wrong way in one-way streets, driving on the wrong side of the road and overtaking on corners, crests, etc.
There seem to be a lot of helicopters buzzing around. They can also be used for detection and pursuit. Un-roadworthy and unregistered vehicles can also be detected and fined even when stationery.
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 3:06 PM
From: Australia
Dominican road rules are means-tested. in the event of a collision, regardless of the circumstances, whoever is worth suing is at fault.
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 3:11 PM
From: Australia
As for booking riders for carrying far to many passengers, giant gas bottles or double beds, pursuit could be carried out on foot.
Written by: walnut, 23 Jan 2012 5:42 PM
From: Bouvet Island, Cayuga lakeside
I would prefer to get into an accident with any moron on their bike texting than a drunken truck.
For that matter, what do you do about the drunk, texting fuel truck driver? Just get out of the way, or you are dead.
From: Canada
Whatever else might be a failing of BB technology, it still is a preferred security solution for mobile requirements ... yeah it is clunky but secure ...
as to the road yapping ... in Canada you get a nasty fine and really get nailed if you get caught more than once ... does anyone recall the recent article about the Mayor of Toronto giving a city resident the finger because he was asked to stop texting while driving?
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 6:21 PM
From: Australia
walnut, sometimes you don't get to chose.
FedericoD, Canada is not a banana republic (too cold?), and it has a police-force.
Written by: anthonyC, 23 Jan 2012 6:52 PM
From: United States
I have never seen and accident caused by a Cell Phone.
Every Accident is caused by Bad Drivers.
From: United States
What the hell is a bb?
Written by: DR_guy, 23 Jan 2012 8:22 PM
From: Dominican Republic
I am a veteran driver , but last year I was replying to a text message , I had looked ahead several times. But just when I looked down a carro publico swerved in front of me and hit his brakes to pick up a fare. I slammed into the back of him a smashed the rear end of his sh*t box Toyota.
I had 3 passengers with me, the one in the front had her seat belt on the passengers in the rear did not.
No one was hurt except my pride and my pretty cars front end.
My insurance covered both.... whew!!!
Needless to say I don't text drive anymore.
Lesson Learned !
Written by: anthonyC, 23 Jan 2012 9:45 PM
From: United States
DR-Guy.
Like I stated. The only accidents I have seen have been caused by BAD DRIVERS!!!!
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 9:56 PM
From: Australia
That does it, DR_guy, you are not Dominican!
In a collision, it it never a Dominican driver's fault - it is always da odder-guy.
Now own up, are you a gringo?
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 9:59 PM
From: Australia
andujar67, asks
"What the hell is a bb?"
I was wondering too, but was afraid to ask, and be told I'm an ignorant Aussie dumb-ass and to go back to fu(king kangaroos again.
Written by: RoyStone, 23 Jan 2012 10:06 PM
From: Australia
anthonyC states
"I have never seen and accident caused by a Cell Phone.
Every Accident is caused by Bad Drivers."
This looks like an adaptation of the NRA pro-gun argument, yeah?
"Guns don't kill people, only naughty people do, it's not the gun's fault."
From: Denmark
RS,
AC is as close to a fanatic as possible. Maybe one day he will fall over and blow his b*lls off. Sorry, I forgot he do not have any.
From: United States
anthonyc might be close to being a fanatic. as far as being an idiot, he is fully there.
Written by: danny00, 24 Jan 2012 1:18 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
Since 2010 to date around 4,629 persons have died from traffic accidents and 11,784 injured in Dominican Republic, where 70 percent of victims are men between 15 and 49 years of age.
thats a lot of people. [go a little faster and have more to drink the presidente is so good}.
From: Canada
andujar67 ... bb is 'Black Berry', a mobile phone device, it competes in the market place with the Apple iPhone, the Google Android and so on ...
Written by: RoyStone, 24 Jan 2012 1:55 PM
From: Australia
Dominican road rules are means-tested. in the event of a collision, regardless of the circumstances, whoever is worth suing is at fault.
From: Canada
Roy ... means-tested sounds like a great title for a book ...
Written by: RoyStone, 24 Jan 2012 2:00 PM
From: Australia
FedericoD, thanks for the explanation - kinda like a game-boy but even more annoying and nerdy?
From: Canada
BB is actually a preferred security solution for many US government agencies ... the thing is just clunky, the leadership has not listened to it's marketing staff, Canadian's I know are embarassed about the situation given it was once listed at $70B and the lead corporation in the country not so long ago ... CLUNKY and input button too small for many users ... BUT it is secure ....
From: United States
Thanks fred..
Written by: RoyStone, 24 Jan 2012 8:07 PM
From: Australia
"The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys."
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
What's the worry? If a law is enacted to prohibit the use of a cellphone or other similar device while driving it will go the way of the laws against consuming alcohol while driving. A law is nothing but words on a ghost document no law enforcement person will take on other than for his own personal gain. The laws here have no teeth, in appearance very strong, in action nothing to be concerned about.
But I can't be without my Iphone!
From: Dominican Republic
When most driver don't even bother obeying almost all road rules how in hell can they expect people to obey this?? This problem is world wide and even countries with good law enforcement have trouble getting people to obey laws against driving and texting....
how can you enforce road traffic laws without the option of pursuit?
Speed cameras and red-light cameras are a start. In this country similar technology could be used for vehicles going the wrong way in one-way streets, driving on the wrong side of the road and overtaking on corners, crests, etc.
There seem to be a lot of helicopters buzzing around. They can also be used for detection and pursuit. Un-roadworthy and unregistered vehicles can also be detected and fined even when stationery.
For that matter, what do you do about the drunk, texting fuel truck driver? Just get out of the way, or you are dead.
as to the road yapping ... in Canada you get a nasty fine and really get nailed if you get caught more than once ... does anyone recall the recent article about the Mayor of Toronto giving a city resident the finger because he was asked to stop texting while driving?
FedericoD, Canada is not a banana republic (too cold?), and it has a police-force.
Every Accident is caused by Bad Drivers.
I had 3 passengers with me, the one in the front had her seat belt on the passengers in the rear did not.
No one was hurt except my pride and my pretty cars front end.
My insurance covered both.... whew!!!
Needless to say I don't text drive anymore.
Lesson Learned !
Like I stated. The only accidents I have seen have been caused by BAD DRIVERS!!!!
In a collision, it it never a Dominican driver's fault - it is always da odder-guy.
Now own up, are you a gringo?
"What the hell is a bb?"
I was wondering too, but was afraid to ask, and be told I'm an ignorant Aussie dumb-ass and to go back to fu(king kangaroos again.
"I have never seen and accident caused by a Cell Phone.
Every Accident is caused by Bad Drivers."
This looks like an adaptation of the NRA pro-gun argument, yeah?
"Guns don't kill people, only naughty people do, it's not the gun's fault."
AC is as close to a fanatic as possible. Maybe one day he will fall over and blow his b*lls off. Sorry, I forgot he do not have any.
thats a lot of people. [go a little faster and have more to drink the presidente is so good}.