The sidewalks They went from being an exclusive space for pedestrians to a parking area, sales, vehicle and motorcycle repair center. This is the reality that exists in the Greater Santo Domingo.
Although the occupation of sidewalks is not the only problem that affects the capital’s sectors, the double parking has become a topic of debate among citizens who demand that the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (Intrant) and the General Directorate of Traffic and Land Transportation (Digesett) execute measures that prohibit this action.
During a tour in National District and North Santo Domingothe occupation of sidewalks by vehicles and motorcycles was observed, businesses that use the space to sell empanadas, repair cars and spare parts.
According to the Law 63-17 on Mobility, Land Transportation, Traffic and Road Safety, it is prohibited to park vehicles on sidewalks, at intersections, in pedestrian crossings, near “hydrants” and in other restricted spaces established by regulations.
In the sector of Agricultural VillasNational District, the situation is critical: the sidewalks have been captured by a mixture of abandoned scrap metal, mechanical workshops that operate outdoors and the use of pedestrian spaces for commercial recreation activities and food sales, as is the case of empanada vendors.
Another sector of the capital affected by the occupation of its sidewalks is Villa Juana, where the proliferation of businesses dedicated to the repair of engines and vehicles was observed, added to the excessive parking of this same equipment on Moca Street, one of the main roads.
This problem is not limited to a single street, but extends throughout the roads Mauricio Baez, Peña Batlle and Alfonzo de Espinosaleaving practically no pedestrian routes for those passing through the area.
While in the Ensanche La Fethe situation is equally worrying.
In the Ramón Cáceres street, Citizens must deal daily with the phenomenon of double parking, the accumulation of junk and the strategic occupation of sidewalks by local businesses that see these spaces as an extension of their private premises.
streets like Américo Lugo, Francisco Villaespesa and Juan José Duarte They follow the same pattern of disorder, making movement difficult for students, workers and residents.
Likewise, in the municipality of Santo Domingo Northspecifically in Villa Mella, Hermanas Mirabal Avenue It presents a constant occupation that hinders the mobility of one of the most important arteries in the area.
The improper occupation of sidewalks not only affects urban aesthetics, but represents a direct violation of the right to safe mobility.
While citizens demand the intervention of the authorities to restore order, the persistence of this practice shows a lack of adequate oversight.
action against scrap
In the case of the Mayor of the National District, scrap metal that is reported by citizens due to prolonged occupation of public space, the Directorate of Defense and Use of Public Spaces (DUEP) is responsible for removing the vehicle from the location and retaining it until it is claimed by its owner within a period of 90 days.
Likewise, it is carried out with businesses that are violating law 176-07, ordinance 1-2021 and law 63-17, related to the obstruction of public space.
