Blown tire causes major end-of year traffic snarl

A blown rear tire  on a fuel truck led to a massive two hour traffic jam on the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway on Saturday December 31 as thousands of vehicles headed for the interior.

Firefighters got  the emergency call at 12:07 pm, because of the risk of fire from 9,000 gallons of inflamable fuel.

During the impasse, the National Police officers attempted to divert cars to alternate routes, but were frustrated by the volume of traffic on New Year’s Eve.

Meanwhile, in the city, traffic was light throughout the afternoon and by evening with restaurants closed Panama became a driver's heaven.