The Traffic Police issued 2,773 fines between January and March to drivers and passengers who failed to use seat belts or helmets properly, according to an April 13 statement from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
The enforcement aims to improve road safety by encouraging the use of these protective devices. Authorities say that neglecting such measures puts lives at risk and leads to significant financial penalties.
Martín Sánchez Agüero, director of the Traffic Police, said it is frustrating to fine people for not wearing helmets or seat belts. “Having to tell a person that they are going to be fined because they are not wearing a helmet is frustrating in many cases and even more so when they carry their child, their partner whom they say they love or their father on the motorcycle and do not provide them with a helmet. Likewise, when we see that driver without a seat belt or allowing those loved ones—supposedly loved ones like their mother, grandmother, child—to go without a seat belt also makes us feel powerless,” Sánchez Agüero said. He added that using these devices saves lives and requesting their proper use is based on evidence rather than personal preference.
Sánchez Agüero also addressed misconceptions about seat belt requirements. He said some people believe only front-seat occupants must wear seat belts but clarified this is incorrect: everyone in a vehicle must be secured with one.
Of the violations recorded during the first quarter of the year, 1,016 motorcyclists were found riding without helmets or wearing them incorrectly. An additional 542 motorcycle passengers committed similar offenses. Regarding car occupants, authorities fined 801 drivers for not wearing seat belts themselves and another 414 for allowing passengers to ride unbelted.
Authorities stress continued vigilance in enforcing these rules as part of broader efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities on roads.
