Road reforms approved in Torreón to regulate motorcycle use
Council members unanimously approved nearly eight modifications and/or additions to the Municipality's Urban Mobility and Road Safety Regulations. These amendments seek to formalize the measures already being implemented against motorcyclists who violate these regulations, address cases involving alcohol consumption, and address the use of bicycles, mopeds, and ATVs.
Natalia Guadalupe Fernández Martínez, president of the Government and Regulation Commission, reported that the objective of these reforms is to address current mobility needs and provide greater security for the population.
During the joint session of the Government and Regulation Committee and the Mobility and Road Safety Committee, the Director of Transit and Road Safety, Martha Alicia Faz Dávila, was present. She acknowledged the efforts made to update the regulations in light of the current conditions and problems.
The approved changes also seek to formalize the measures already implemented by this department through the "Zero Tolerance" operation, which include removing motorcycles from circulation when basic rules are violated, such as not wearing a safety helmet, using them to perform stunts on public roads, participating in drag races or races, and having a minimum alcohol consumption level.
Parking space regulations are also being considered, with the aim of preventing drivers of motorcycles or other light vehicles from occupying spaces designated for emergency units.
Faz Dávila said that given the public's resistance to these actions, it is important to formalize the authority of the Traffic and Highway Administration to remove motorcycles from circulation, considering that the fines imposed are minimal, compared to what owners will have to pay for storage and impounding.
The reform initiative was presented by the president of the Mobility and Road Safety Commission, Raúl Alejandro Garza del Valle, and seeks to strengthen regulatory provisions related to citizen protection in the area of road accidents, addressing the exponential increase in motorcycle use in the city.
The matter will be referred to the next City Council session for analysis, discussion, and, if applicable, approval.
The Director of Traffic and Road Safety also said that the minimum blood alcohol level or permitted alcohol consumption is being studied, which in her view is insufficient to determine whether a driver is fit or not to drive.
In this regard, he noted that the General Mobility Law establishes blood alcohol limits, which must be complemented by a check on signs and symptoms to confirm that the driver is fit to move.
"There is some controversy surrounding this issue, because while it's true there are minimum amounts of alcohol that can be ingested, it's also clear that not all organisms react the same way, so some people may inhibit motor reflexes after one drink, while others may not have the same reaction after four drinks," he emphasized.
The intention is to authorize officers in charge of breathalyzer operations to conduct these checks, since as authorities, they must ensure the protection of the individual, and that includes verifying that the person is fit to drive.
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