During the program Direct Impactof GuatevisionLuis Villegas, Omar Sosa and Luisa Fernanda Maldonado analyzed the case that occurred on Monday, April 27, at kilometer 175 of the route to the AtlanticGualán, Zacapa, where a traffic argument for not yielding the road ended in a exchange of fire which left two people dead.
The discussion between drivers during a traffic congestion It escalated until it became an armed confrontation that also left one injured and one captured, according to the National Civil Police.
The institution reported that he was captured Herbert “N”54 years old, who was driving a truck and transporting his 21-year-old daughter. The young woman was seriously injured and died upon entering a hospital. A man, approximately 69 years old, who was traveling in another vehicle, died at the scene.
The authorities seized four pistols, a carbine, eight magazines, 109 ammunition and 20 shell casingsin addition to weapons with corresponding documentation.
“Carrying a weapon does not give you the right to use it”
During the program Direct Impactof Guatevisionthe expert lawyer in security and development Luis Villegas pointed out that the case reflects an increase in episodes of road rage and lack of emotional control in road stress situations.
“We are seeing more and more cases of road rage,” said Villegas, referring to the reaction of some drivers when they find themselves stuck in traffic jams.
The lawyer also emphasized the responsibility that the carrying firearms. “Carrying a weapon does not give you the right to take it out to intimidate people, threaten them, much less act on it,” he said.
Villegas considered that the General Directorate of Arms and Ammunition Control must strengthen psychological controls for those who carry weapons. In his opinion, although there are psychological, practical and academic evaluations, there should be “much more control” in the emotional aspect.
Experts call for self-control and more prevention
The founder of the Guatemalan campaign Live with Values, Omar Sosahighlighted that the sector where the confrontation occurred is a narrow and critical area for vehicular circulation. He also called for reinforcing the presence of authorities at points where traffic incidents are recorded.
“If the El Lobo village has had multiple accidents, it is a critical area. Simply put, put more control,” said Sosa.
The expert also stressed the importance of emotional self-awareness in road coexistence. “We are missing that a lot in society,” he said.
Soda recommended drivers prepare better before making trips long. “Sleep well, eat well, hydrate well,” he said, adding that if a person feels tired during the ride, they should stop before continuing.
“How sad that every day we are reporting incidents where sanity is really lost, respect is lost and, above all, a life,” he said.
For her part, the graduate in aeronautical administration Luisa Fernanda Maldonado He stated that the weapon was not the only problem, but the way in which those involved managed a conflict that seemed minor.
“The problem is no longer traffic, but that this traffic incident turned into an act of violence,” Maldonado said.
The analyst added that in Guatemala daily violence has been normalized and that the carrying of weapons must be accompanied by effective emotional responsibility.
“We must have many more controls on who has a weapon in their possession,” said Maldonado, who described these types of events as “regrettable, worrying and alarming” for those who travel the roads.
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