By Raúl Germán Bautista.- The municipal mayor of San Francisco de Macorís, Antonio Díaz Paulino (Alex), justified the placement of wheel blockers and RD$1,500 fine on improperly parked vehicles, and stated that the measure has reduced vehicular congestion and is in line with what is established in the Traffic Law.
Arguments of the Municipality
Díaz Paulino assured that the implementation of wheel blockers and RD$1,500 fine has had a positive impact on the mobility of the city and on the fluidity of local commerce.
Reduction of traffic
“Truth is that we feel satisfied for having managed to make this congestion, which harmed the mobility of people and the economic fluidity, decrease in a very important percentage after we placed the locks”, said the mayor, defending the use of wheel blockers and RD$1,500 fine.
Legal framework and amount
The mayor stated that the action is supported by the current legislation on traffic and that the municipal fine is lower than what is contemplated by the national norm; he pointed out that the Traffic Law contemplates a higher fine and that the municipality applies RD$1,500 as a lower amount, with dissuasive and not revenue-raising purposes.
Context and signs of controversy
The measure of placing locks on improperly parked vehicles has generated debate over its preventive character against the perception of administrative collection; the mayor explained that the objective of the lock is to avoid the vehicle being transported on a tow truck, which could generate greater costs and damages.
- The municipal government maintains that the amount applied, RD$1,500, is lower than what is established in the national Traffic Law.
- From the mayoralty, it is justified that the measure seeks to improve urban mobility and reduce damages caused by towing.
Reactions and next steps
Local sources indicate that the issue recently reached municipal judicial instances, which has prompted a discussion on the proportionality of fines and the normative competition between municipal ordinances and the Traffic Law.
“The motive of the lock is to avoid the vehicle being transported on a tow truck, which could cause more costly damages”, said the mayor in explaining the reason for the fine.
The validity of the measure and its practical application remain under observation while the municipal authorities maintain their technical criterion on its effectiveness. In this framework, the mayor reiterates the defense of the use of wheel blockers and RD$1,500 fine as a tool to alleviate the traffic of San Francisco de Macorís and adjust fines within the established legal framework. wheel blockers and RD$1,500 fine
