Guate organizations for Guate and the National Traffic Unit offered a press conference this March 18, in which they reiterated their support for mandatory insurance that will implement the government as of May 1.
According to César Bol, spokesman for the Guate Organization for Guate and the National Traffic Victims Unit, people who are manifesting against compulsory insurance do not think about the health and life of Guatemalans.
“It is not valid for these carriers and vehicle owners a couple of cents and their lives, their passengers and all Guatemalans,” recognized.
He added that, in social networks and in the speeches of some vehicle owners, opinions without foundation are disseminated, and that many go out to protest without having read the agreements published by the Government.
Bol pointed out that insurance does not seek to avoid road mishaps, but to compensate the injured and the families of the deceased victims.
Organization statistics show that, during the last three decades, at least Two million citizens who suffered a road accident were not compensated.
“We ask those supposed leaders of transport: how many families and victims have they helped financially in case of accidents with their vehicles? Those who have not been safe, but did hurt or killed people,” He emphasized.
Bol said there was a dialogue with several insurers to establish the mandatory insurance costs, which would be approximately Q30 per month per motorcycle, Q70 per private vehicle, Q95 per taxi, Q83 by Picop, Q175 per work panel and Q280 per microbus.
“The different insurers presented such costs; then, that was where this range was obtained,” recognized.
He pointed out that they regret the attitude of the deputies who are against mandatory insurance.
“We consider that they need the knowledge of reality in the country, because the second cause of deaths and disability in Guatemala are traffic accidents,” mentioned.
Bol said that congressmen are possibly looking for how to manipulate the population for political purposes.
Taxi drivers in favor of mandatory insurance
On March 17, Rolando López, vice president of the Association of Taxis Pilots of Guatemala, said that they were initially against the 17-2020 government agreement, which established the compulsory insurance regulations, but that, after dialogues and solve “some inconsistencies”, an agreement was reached so that it does not affect the owners of taxis.
“We are not against insurance.
López commented that they are aware of the number of victims due to traffic accidents and that these should be compensated when they suffer injuries.
He pointed out that the Government should implement a unit to control insurers, avoid excessive charges, review contracts and guarantee compliance with compensation to those affected.
Abner Flores, vice president of the Association of Taxis Owners of Guatemala, indicated that insurers must comply with the established agreements and the Regulations of the Compulsory Insurance.
He added that at least 25 thousand taxi owners and private vehicles working with mobile applications are registered in the association.