Two weeks ago the Secretary of the Municipal Council of Public Security proposed that Mazatlán increase its fine for driving while intoxicated. Renato Ocampo Alcántar, Secretary of the Municipal Council of Public Security, said “We are talking about 100 to 300 minimum wages as is done in Monterrey or Guadalajara. Why, because unfortunately the fine has to hurt in the pocket of the people for them to understand the severity of the offence.”
With the help of local deputy Martín Pérez an initiative has now been presented to the Sinaloa Congress. The proposed bill would make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving. Currently the law states that a person must have both hands on the wheel while driving, but is silent as to talking on a cell phone.
Every day vehicles on the streets of Mazatlán are being driven by citizens, bus drivers, local police, and even traffic police who are talking on their cell phones, being distracted from their driving with resulting accidents.
The second part of the initiative increases the penalties for driving while intoxicated.
Today the fine for driving while under the influence of alcohol ranges between 11 and 20 times the daily minimum wage rate or 701 pesos ($54) to 1,275 pesos ($98). The initiative submitted by Martín Pérez would increase that fine to between 100 and 300 times the daily minimum wage rate or 6,377 pesos ($491) to 19,131 pesos ($1,473).
The Department of Public Safety in Mazatlán reported that in two weekends more than 75 people were taken to jail for the offense of driving while intoxicated. During the weekend of October 24-26 a total 56 people were arrested for failing to pass a Breathalyzer test.
(from Noroeste)
