ATTT Director Asks For Patience From Drivers in Panama City

(Panama-Guide) - TVN Noticias -  The Director of the Ground Transit and Transportation Authority, Jorge Ricardo Fabrega, asked the Panamanian people to be patient, due to the inconveniences that will arise as they work to modernize the country's road system for the next three years. Fabrega said they need the help of the public to avoid traffic jams. He noted for example that many people do not respect the clearances at intersections or traffic lights. No one should fill the marked spaces in the middle of the intersections, he said, referring to areas that have recently been painted with a yellow cross-hatch as free space at the intersections of several major roads.

Fabrega also announced that next week they would present a Bill which would increase traffic fines for consideration by the Transit Board, and then if it is approved, to the president. He confirmed that they would propose to increase the penalties for driving while intoxicated and obstructing traffic. There will be penalties for those pedestrians who do not respect the rules of traffic. The Director of the ATTT justified the application of sanctions for those who use their cell phones to send chat messages while driving, as well as those who use DVD screens in the front part of the vehicles, because these are elements that can distract drivers and cause accidents. Fabrega said that when the existing traffic regulations were written these types of devices didn't exist, and so they were never regulated. He said that the ATTT's campaign has resulted in a reduction of traffic fatalities.

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Original Source: http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20100909151325464
Date Retrieved: September 10, 2010.