City Reinstitutes Breathalyzer and Proposes Increased DWI Fine

by Murry Page

20 Oct 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Aaron Aguilar Iniguez, Director of Municipal Transit Police, told reporters that the city began, as of 10:00 pm Saturday night, subjecting random drivers to a breathalyzer test. The tests began at the intersection of the Avenida del Mar and Rafael Buelna up to the Mega grocery store.

The Director said the location of the random tests would take place on streets with the highest vehicular traffic, including streets such as Rio Baluarte and Cruz Lizarraga where young people are known to speed.

In addition to giving breathalyzer tests automobile registrations and drivers licenses will be checked. These verifications will identify stolen vehicles and outstanding warrants he said.

Anyone who fails the breathalyzer test will be taken to jail, held for 12 hours and be assessed a fine. Currently the fine ranges from 701 pesos ($54) to 1,275 pesos ($98).

However, the Municipal Council of Public Security, the Ministry of Public Security and Municipal Transit Police have proposed that the fine be increased to 100 to 300 times the minimum daily wage or from 6,377 pesos ($490) to 19,131 pesos ($1,475).

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.”

(from Noroeste)

1,000 Motorcycle Plates Issued in One Month

by Maureen Dietrich

12 Jul 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

It has been a little over a month since Mazatlán introduced a traffic safety campaign and zero tolerance for traffic infractions, in particular with respect to motorcyclists without helmets, license plates or registration, and those carrying more than one passenger.

In that month, says Felipe Parada Valdiva of the license bureau, more than 1,000 motorcycle license plates have been issued. In Mazatlán there are approximately 19,000 registered motorcycles but Parada Vildiva estimates there are still 3,000 in circulation without registration.

The cost of the license is 702 pesos and it is valid for three years.

Parada Valdiva suggested anyone seeking to register their vehicles do so before July 18^th when 60 percent of employees will go on vacation and the module in the Gran Plaza closes for holidays.

 (from Noroeste)

Mazatlán Bikers Protest “Persecution”

by Murry Page

7 Jul 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

The protesters said they were not against the traffic laws, but needed time to purchase helmets and acquire license plates.

Local transit authorities say the city’s safety campaign “We are Building the Future for a Safe Mazatlán” has reduced the number of accidents, primarily those involving motorcycles. However, postings on Facebook on Friday and Saturday called for a demonstration on Sunday to protest what the posters consider “persecution by local authorities being led by (Mazatlán’s Mayor) Felton.”

Yesterday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am about 50 motorcyclists gathered at the International highway at Rincon Uriah to protest the action of the police. The protesters said they were not against the traffic laws, but needed time to purchase helmets and acquire license plates.

The protestors also complained saying they should first be given a warning and then remove their motorcycles if they repeat the violation, but without any warning their bikes are being taken from them. They also noted that under the law only the Traffic Police can give traffic citations, but Municipal Police are also issuing them, in violation of the law.

Arón Aguilar Iñiguez, Commander of the Mazatlán’s Transit Police, said there is no reason for the city’s motorcyclists to feel they are being singled out, as the enforcement of the city’s traffic laws are being enforced against everyone on the streets of Mazatlán.

Secretary of Mazatlán’s Motoclub, Ismael López Rodriguez, said, “There will always be opposition to rules, but our organization will abide by the laws.” He added, “The Motoclub is in favor of the rule for riders and is to be respected.”

Since the road safety campaign went into effect June 16 there have been total of 16 accidents, which compares favorably to the 113 traffic accidents recorded during the prior month.

(from El Debate, photo Noroeste)

Municipal Public Security wants to Amend Traffic Laws

by Murry Page

4 Jul 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Alcántar Renato Ocampo, Chairman of the Municipal Public Security, said the city needs to increase the fines for traffic violations. He said the city’s current road safety campaign “We are Building the Future for a Safe Mazatlán” has highlighted the need to increase the fines for those that break the city’s traffic laws.

Renato Ocampo said too many people are talking on cell phones while driving, driving while intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.

To more effectively combat these violations, he said the city needs to increase the fines for these violations from 100 times the minimum daily wage to between 100 and 300 times the minimum daily wage. That would increase fines for these violations to between 6,000 to 15,000 pesos.

He noted that the change would put the city more in line with the traffic fines imposed by other cities throughout the country.

The head of Municipal Public Security added that the enforcement of the city’s traffic laws will continue throughout the summer tourist season.

(from El Sol de Mazatlán)

784 Motorcyclists Fined for Not wearing Helmets

by Maureen Dietrich

3 Jul 14 

mazmessenger.com

773 motorists were ticketed for parking in a prohibited area.

A total of 784 motorcyclists were fined for not wearing helmets between June 16 and July 1 in accordance with the municipality´s Zero Tolerance program, said Municipal Transit Police Commander Aarón Aguilar Íñiguez.

In a press release, the transit police enumerated the number of fines issued for various infractions in the last two weeks, including:

• 256 for not wearing car seatbelts
• 22 for driving while under the influence of alcohol
• 184 for driving over the speed limit
• 41 for polarized windows darker than permitted
• 45 to public transport drivers for carrying more passengers than permitted
• 773 for parking in prohibited areas
• 730 for driving without a license
• 119 to motorcyclists without proper registration
• 19 to motorcyclists driving without license plates

On June 4, the municipal Council of Public Security headed by Mayor Carlos Felton initiated the program “Por un Mazatlán Seguro, Construimos el Futuro” with the objective of decreasing traffic accidents in the city. Following a promotion campaign to advise drivers to adhere to traffic regulations, on June 16 police began in earnest to ticket those breaking the law.

According to the press release, the campaign and application of fines will remain permanently in place.

 (from Noroese)

The First Day: “For a Safe Mazatlán” Campaign

by Murry Page

18 Jun 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

On the first day of enforcement of the city road safety campaign “We are Building the Future for a Safe Mazatlán” 164 traffic citations were issued and two people were detained for driving while intoxicated.

The traffic violations included speeding, failure to wear seatbelts, and drinking while driving, which resulted in the detention of two drivers.

Aarón Aguilar Iñiguez, Chief of Police for the city’s Transit Police, said that the number of tickets issued during the day was small because people understand that citations will be issued for violating the city’s traffic laws.

(from Noroeste)

Traffic Safety Campaign to Include “No Mordidas”

by Maureen Dietrich

12 Jun 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

The first of a three-stage municipal traffic safety campaign entitled “Por un Mazatlán Seguro, Construimos Futuro” which began on June 3 is in full swing.

Municipal authorities and civil associations have taken to the streets to remind drivers of the mandatory use of seatbelts, non-use of cell phones while driving and not driving while drinking for car owners, and the mandatory use of helmets and one passenger policy for motorcycle owners.

The second phase begins June 15 with a “zero tolerance” edict from the municipal police. Drivers pulled over for any traffic infractions, including no license or license plate, will be automatically fined.

The third phase will consist of a crusade against “mordidas” or bribes to traffic police. The President of Canaco-Servytur, Óscar Tirado Bernal, said the complimentary anti-bribe campaign is to ensure the issuance of fines in the zero tolerance phase does not convert into a pretext to issue more tickets than required.  

(from Noroeste)