Traffic tickets jump 28.9%

Panama’s traffic cops are becoming more vigilant or local driving habits are worsening according to statistics from the Transport Authority, ATTT.

 In the first 38 days of the year tickets issued to errant drivers were up 28.9% over the average for last year
There were 57,458 infractions representing a daily average of 1,512. In 2012 the average was 1,173 thousand out of a total of 428 235.
The most common causes for ticketing in the first part pf the year were : speeding,, talking on the phone while driving and driving while intoxicated.
The Government spends between $78 million and $108 million each year in assistance to victims of motor vehicle accidents which, in many cases, are related to the breach of driving rules.