Although there is a regulation that allows the parties involved in a minor accident to mediate at the scene and move the vehicles, or even require a transito (traffic) official to be on the scene, few do so according to the head of the Policia de Transito, German Marin.
According to Marin, if more drivers were to use the mediation process where information is exchanged and a document (that can be downloaded and kept in the vehicle) signed, and allow drivers to move their vehicles immediately and eliminate the need to wait for a Tránsito.
Marins said this would free up the thinly stretched transito police force to deal with real emergencies.
The Policia de Transito report that 7 out of 10 traffic accidents are minor, defined as only non-substantial material damage, and no injury or loss of life involved.
The regulation in place for a few years already is unknown or ignored by most drivers, blocking traffic waiting on a transito to reach the scene, while causing major congestion in the already over-congested routes across the greater metropolitan area or GAM.
