Extra police monitoring carnival traffic and partying drivers

Extra police patrols were brought in to monitor the highways leading to Panama’s interior on Thursday, March 3.

They were looking for speeding or drunk drivers as the  annual Carnival exodus began  and traffic in the capital began to ease. The beefed up patrols will continue throughout Carnival.

Activities unofficially begin Friday and end on Wednesday whebn  workers are scheduled to be back on duty by noon. From Saturday through Tuesday the streets of Panama City become a driver’s heaven, and many businesses, including restaurants, close as their customers head out of town.

National Police Director Gustavo Pérez warned  that people heading to Carnival festivities "should be careful with alcoholic beverages" and called on parents to keep a close eye on their children.