The International Motorcyclists’ Defense Union gathered this Sunday in front of the headquarters of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) in Madrid for request the revocation of the entity’s director, Pere Navarro, in the face of increasing mortality, poor road conditions and “ineffective and inconsistent” policies.
This was reported by the director of the Road Safety Department of the International Union for the Defense of Motorcyclists, Juan Carlos Toribio, in statements to Europa Press, in which he explained that they had whistled in “rebellion” in front of the DGT.
“The policies they are pursuing are neither coherent nor effective.. In fact, this summer, mortality in the world of motorcycling has increased by 13% since Pere Navarro joined, compared to the world of motorcyclists. In general mortality, accidents and hospitalizations, we are above 20% increase,” said the spokesperson for the platform, who clarified that these data have increased since 2018, the year Pere Navarro joined.
The protesters gathered in the Plaza de las Ventas and from there they went to the headquarters of the DGT, where they overturned the motorcycles and observed a minute of silence in memory of all the victims of the road accidents. Afterwards, the motorcyclists lifted their vehicles off the ground to whistle at the behavior of the DGT.
Among the platform’s demands, the spokesperson stressed reforming road accident investigations, in favour of scientific analysis, protection of guardrails, understanding the motorcycle as an efficient vehicle in the city and improving road conditionsamong others.
“We have the right to a state of conservation of the roads that, at a minimum, complies with the law. It is a constitutional right that citizens are protected and this is not being done. We have more deaths and more hospitalizations,” he said. denounced.
In addition, there have been protests against the large number of alcohol and drug tests that motorcyclists undergo, as they consider that their objective is to make money. “This weekend is weekend control number 10. This has never happened before in the history of the DGT. You (DGT) take care of the state and conservation of the roads and respect the laws because you do not do it,” he lamented.
Finally, requested that VAT be reduced on safety equipment for motorcyclists, cyclists and personal mobility vehicles (VMP); more awareness campaigns and use of technical equipment, but without forcing their use; and overtaking on the hard shoulders when traffic is obstructed and static.
