Dominican Republic traffic crisis causes high fatalities and economic loss

In the Dominican Republic, traffic accidents have reached critical levels, described by Jean Todt, the United Nations special envoy for road safety, as a “disaster.” The country records approximately 3,000 deaths annually from road incidents, representing a rate of 27 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. These accidents are the second leading cause of death among adults and the primary cause of death for children and youths aged 5 to 19.

The economic consequences are also substantial. A 2021 World Bank study indicated that the cost of traffic accidents reached 11.5% of the GDP in 2016. If this percentage were applied to the 2025 GDP, the estimated cost would reach approximately US$14.652 billion, or RD$855 billion, accounting for both national budget impacts and the direct costs borne by families.