Motorists in traffic jam fined for breaching curfew

A National Police checkpoint on the Inter-American highway in Capira, Panama Oeste on Friday night delayed hundreds of drivers for up to three hours with many getting a double whammy – fined for being on the road during the 10 pm to 4 am curfew.

The former Ombudsman Juan Tejada described the measure as a “supreme abuse” considering that people were sanctioned with up to $100 in fine by the justice of the peace when their delay occurred due to a landslide on the road and the checkpoint that caused great traffic congestion. He told La Prensa that he spent several hours at the roadblock. First due to a collapse on the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway in the vicinity of the Perurena bridge and then due to the checkpoint in Capira

The fact is that the roadblock caused some to take up to more than three hours to reach the checkpoint, and by then it was after 10:00 pm so they were told that they were violating health regulations.

Former deputy Yassir Purcait told La Prensa that he was going to his house in the interior, and when he arrived at the National Bank of Capira it was 11:28 pm but, he arrived at the police checkpoint at 2:26 am. he attended, said good morning, and asked for the license. “It is a nonsense thing, that has no contribution at all,” he added.

Similar cases come to light mainly on Sundays, days when some districts or provinces have total quarantine, due to the decrees of the health emergency.

Police version
The police commissioner Juan Adames, who was in charge of the checkpoint in Capira during the Friday night, assured La Prensa that the operation was activated at 10:00 pm and not at 8:00 pm as has been said. on social media.

He added that those people who breached the curfew were referred to the justice of the peace, with the exception of those who showed some kind of safe conduct. He specified that this checkpoint has been operating in the place for several months and that the residents of Capira, Chame, and neighboring towns know that there is a mobility restriction that begins at 10:00 pm unless a different provision is issued. by the health authorities.

He acknowledged that there was great traffic congestion and that he was unaware of the existence of a collapse on the Arraiján-La Chorrera highway.