Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Hundreds of motorcycle drivers gathered across the state Wednesday night in protest of new passed laws. The protests came after State Congress approved reforms Tuesday to the Mobility law that will force riders to display a license plate, wear helmets and reflective vests.
Those reflective vests will be provided by the state since they will be stamped with the now-mandatory license plate number of the motorcycle. The state will also provide a numbered sticker (with the license plate) that will be required on helmets.
State officials said the reforms to the current Mobility laws are with the intention of strengthen road safety and reducing the number of accidents.
According to the approved legislation, the vest will be provided free of charge while helmets must comply with the Mexican Official Standard and must bear the sticker provided by Imovreqroo.
“Motorcycle drivers and their passengers are required to wear a properly fastened and fitted safety helmet which must have the corresponding license plate number printed on it, as well as wear a reflective vest with the license plate number printed on it, which will be provided by the authority,” reads the ruling approved by the majority vote on July 23.
Non-compliance will result in fine and the suspension and seizure of the vehicle.
On Wednesday night, hundreds of frustrated motorcycle drivers gathered in organized protest rallies across the state protesting what has become referred to as the vest law. The July 23 modifications to Article 218 Bis of the Mobility Law have been seen by some as necessary while others consider them an excessive imposition.
In a press conference late Wednesday, Deputy Luis Humberto Aldana Navarro explained that the law also seeks to effectively identify motorcyclists to prevent crimes.
According to the statistics provided, 80 percent of high-impact crimes in Quintana Roo are committed using motorcycles. “With these measures, we hope to significantly reduce the incidence of crimes and improve security on our streets,” said Aldana.
On Thursday, heads of state met with motorcycle union members to discuss the new law reforms. A meeting was held at the C5 in Cancun. There, the Secretary of Government of Quintana Roo, Cristina Torres, Rear Admiral Julio César Gómez Torres, Secretary of Citizen Security, Luis Rodrigo Alcázar Urrutia, the General Director of the Mobility Institute of Quintana Roo (Imoveroo) and Antonio de Jesús Riveroll Ribbon, the General Secretary of the Benito Juárez City Council met with members of the motorcycle union to address different perspectives, proposals and possible solutions.
