The state government has been forced to abandon its plans to implement heavy fines for those who use exclusive Pan American Games traffic lanes without authorization.
Jalisco Governor Emilio Gonzalez admitted defeat this week by accepting there will be no financial penalty for drivers who invade the exclusive and preferential lanes, which are set to take effect on Monday, October 10 and run until October 31.
The governor announced he would withdraw the proposal sent to the Jalisco State Congress due to concern among citizens, although opposition from Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) legislators, who managed to stall the bill, was probably the more decisive factor.
If approved, the proposal would have established fines from 200 to 400 days of minimum wages (between 11,620 and 23,250 pesos) for those who invaded the exclusive traffic lanes.
In a written statement, Gonzalez called on citizens’ goodwill to “work with us in leaving the reserved lanes free for those participating in the games.” In order to ease traffic congestion, the governor asked “all public servants of state government to reduce private vehicle use when commuting to work” from October 10 to 31.
Jalisco Transportation Secretary Diego Monraz later suggested that while traffic cops could not fine motorists for invading the exclusive lanes, they might issue tickets under state transportation law for “disobeying a transit officer” (Article 163: a 116-peso fine) or “not giving way to an emergency or police vehicle” (Article 167: a 580-peso fine).
He added: “Officers will not be going out onto the streets during the games with the purpose of issuing fines but helping with the flow of traffic.”
Federal police officers closed off one lane along a stretch of Avenida Lazaro Cardenas on two days this week in a trial run of the exclusive lane measure. The results were not positive. Congestion set in almost immediately and the tail back of vehicles stretched for several miles.
Gonzalez made light of the potential problem, suggesting that if Tapatios have to get up ten minutes earlier while the games were on, it was hardly a high price to pay given the benefits the event will bring.
As a result of the seemingly unavoidable traffic delays, business owners should be tolerant of workers who arrive late during the games, noted Manuel Herrera Vega, a spokesman for the Jalisco Industrial Chamber.
Earlier this week, Gonzalez suggested that after the games the lanes might be kept for some form of alternative transport, and used exclusively carpooling, public transport or cycling.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
