SANTO DOMINGO – Dominican authorities reported a sobering toll from the inaugural 24-hour period of Operation Awareness for Life, the nationwide holiday safety initiative spanning Christmas and New Year 2025-2026. The Emergency Operations Center (COE) documented six fatalities and 63 traffic accidents between 6:00 AM December 24 and 6:00 AM December 25, underscoring the dangers of heightened seasonal road activity.
Motorcycle-related incidents dominated accident statistics, constituting 48 of the total reported cases. Fatality analysis revealed three deaths each from motorcycle collisions and passenger vehicle accidents. Notably, only one death occurred within an established traffic safety checkpoint while five transpired beyond these controlled zones.
Beyond traffic incidents, medical personnel addressed 165 poisoning cases – including 131 alcohol intoxication incidents (nine involving minors) and 34 food poisoning emergencies. Geographical distribution showed San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, National District, San Pedro de Macorís, Duarte and Sánchez Ramírez as provinces with the highest incident concentrations.
Preventative measures formed a crucial component of the operation. The National Institute of Transit and Transportation (Intrant) conducted nearly 8,000 public transport inspections nationwide, administering 321 substance tests to drivers which yielded six positive results. Simultaneously, Digesett traffic authorities performed over 8,200 traffic violation inspections, implemented vehicle impoundments for regulatory non-compliance, and delivered more than 10,000 roadside assistance interventions.
Officials emphasized these statistics represent merely the operation’s initial phase, renewing urgent appeals for public vigilance and strict adherence to traffic regulations throughout the remainder of the holiday period.