General Info

[JJ341]

There is an insurance waiver that is called something like Casa de Conductor. If you are involved in a car accident that would normally require you to go to the jail you are put up in a hotel instead while the case is being investigated. I think the hotel is located on Maximo Gomez or near there.

That Everyone gets locked up?

"Dominican law requires that a driver be taken into custody for driving under the influence Or being involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death, even if the driver is insured and appears not to have been at fault. The minimum detention period is 48 hours; however, detentions frequently last until a judicial decision is reached (often weeks or months) , or until a waiver is signed by the injured party (usually as the result of a cash settlement)."

Not all accidents with bodily injuries fall under this definition (no death and no serious injury). Who makes the determination regarding serious injury, probably the police officer on the scene (maybe don't get the police involved). Drive slow or in slow traffic and less likely anyone will get seriously hurt if an accident occurs. Some places have more motos than others, so be more careful in those cities. I have driven on highways and roads that were empty.

Driving under the influence is not a good idea in the Dom Rep.

If the police on the scene want a driver in custody that custody is not always in a jail. National / Alamo on the recent cars I have rented had insurance with Universal (seems to be a well known company in the DR) ;

http://www.universal.com.do/Inicio

I have asked numerous times at National / Alamo and been told no jail.

[Jaosousa]

This is a copy and paste from the USA State Department website clearly stating that it is THE LAW that everyone get locked up, insurance or no insurance:

That Everyone gets locked up?

"Dominican law requires that a driver be taken into custody for driving under the influence or being involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death, even if the driver is insured and appears not to have been at fault. The minimum detention period is 48 hours; however, detentions frequently last until a judicial decision is reached (often weeks or months), or until a waiver is signed by the injured party (usually as the result of a cash settlement)."

Not all accidents with bodily injuries fall under this definition (no death and no serious injury). Who makes the determination regarding serious injury, probably the police officer on the scene (maybe don't get the police involved). Drive slow or in slow traffic and less likely anyone will get seriously hurt if an accident occurs. Some places have more motos than others, so be more careful in those cities. I have driven on highways and roads that were empty.

Driving under the influence is not a good idea in the Dom Rep.

If the police on the scene want a driver in custody that custody is not always in a jail. National/Alamo on the recent cars I have rented had insurance with Universal (seems to be a well known company in the DR); http://www.universal.com.do/Inicio. I have asked numerous times at National/Alamo and been told no jail.

[Hillbilly69]

Not very sound logically. It is like the old story of the guy who fell out of a window on the 38th floor. As he passed someone looking out on the 25th he shouted "No problems so far".

You and I and one other person got into separate wrecks in the same week two involving vehicles and you on a motorcycle, of course Jaosousa doesn't know anyone that got into a wreck even though it was his best buddy that was one of the three, and he mooched a meal of you at Blackbeards that time so he knows two, of course he will make up any story he wants because he can.

[Jaosousa]

Not very sound logically. It is like the old story of the guy who fell out of a window on the 38th floor. As he passed someone looking out on the 25th he shouted "No problems so far".

You love Haitians and generally deplore Dominicans (that is your choice to make). If you want to discuss logic, makes no sense to me why a guy like you who prefers everything Haitian and basically deplores everything Dominican chooses to live in the Dominican Republic. The Haitians living in Haiti could use the money you are currently putting in the Dominican economy. When you can explain the logic of this choice, I'll put more credence into your post criticizing my logic.

Over 8 years of driving in the DR and I haven't had a problem. I know other guys who drive regularly in the DR who have not had a problem either.

You probably take motoconchos everyday, maybe you haven't had a problem while on a moto, so you might be inclined to opine that generally speaking motos have been safe for you and you will operate under the belief that they will continue to be somewhat safe. Tomorrow you might have an accident that could change your opinion of motos, but right now while passing the 2nd floor from the 20th floor on the way to the ground, you probably believe that motos are somewhat safe.

[Charles Pooter]

I have driven in the DR for over 8 years, never a problem.

Not very sound logically. It is like the old story of the guy who fell out of a window on the 38th floor. As he passed someone looking out on the 25th he shouted "No problems so far".

[Jaosousa]

Http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1103.html

#traffic_safety.

It states that we should hire professional drivers.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html#traffic_safety

From the US Embassy Santo Domingo webpage:

"If you do drive in the Dominican Republic, you should be aware that the utmost caution and defensive driving are necessary." (Good advice, they don't seem to be saying with Great Force not to drive in the DR).

"Visitors to the Dominican Republic might want to consider hiring a professional driver during their stay in lieu of driving themselves."

[Cagep1967]

I have never seen the US Government tell US citizens not to rent a car in the DR. No one I have known has had a problem renting a car in the DR, while I have known them.

Http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1103.html#traffic_safety.

It states that we should hire professional drivers.

[Jaosousa]

This is a copy and paste from the USA State Department website

I have never seen the US Government tell US citizens not to rent a car in the DR. No one I have known has had a problem renting a car in the DR, while I have known them.

[Redneck87]

You believe everything you read in a tabloid British newspaper?

Lots of bad behavior by newspapers (Judith Miller and WMDs not in Iraq, New York Times; Phone hacking by Rupert Murdoch newspaper employees in Britain; Rupert Murdoch's New York Post bad coverage of the recent events in Boston).

No don't believe everything I hear especially from you Jaosousa.

[Jaosousa]

to be the general consensus on this board has been to what happens if a gringo hits and injures a local.

This is a copy and paste from the USA State Department website clearly stating that it is THE LAW that everyone get locked up, insurance or no insurance:

Dominican law requires that a driver be taken into custody for driving under the influence or being involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death, even if the driver is insured and appears not to have been at fault. The minimum detention period is 48 hours; however, detentions frequently last until a judicial decision is reached (often weeks or months) , or until a waiver is signed by the injured party (usually as the result of a cash settlement).

Thanks.

Your post may say what the law is. It doesn't mean that, that is what happens in every case or in a high percentage of cases. (Adultery may be illegal or anal sex illegal in some States in the US, doesn't mean every person who does those things goes to jail).

People on this site have real world experience driving cars in the DR and all of the guys I know are not paranoid. I have driven in the DR for over 8 years, never a problem. Great country and I love to see it. If you drive slow and take it easy, anyone can drive in the DR.

[Manizales911]

Do you know that as a fact or are you guessing? Have you ever rented a car in the DR?

I have been told that not everyone gets locked up.

This is a copy and paste from the USA State Department website clearly stating that it is THE LAW that everyone get locked up, insurance or no insurance:

Dominican law requires that a driver be taken into custody for driving under the influence or being involved in an accident that causes serious injury or death, even if the driver is insured and appears not to have been at fault. The minimum detention period is 48 hours; however, detentions frequently last until a judicial decision is reached (often weeks or months) , or until a waiver is signed by the injured party (usually as the result of a cash settlement).

[Jaosousa]

No, I never have and never will.

Thank you.

There are guys on this site who have been in accidents in the DR and did not go to jail. There is at least one member I believe who posted that he took the injured person to a medical clinic and paid some of the medical expenses (if I remember correctly under $100). If you were interested in renting a car, I could provide more detailed information.

Some people in the United States go to jail after some car accidents in the United States, deservedly so.

[Manizales911]

Have you ever rented a car in the Dominican Republic?

I'll answer your question when you respond to my question (I have asked you basic, easy non-confrontational questions recently and your response one time was to curse at me and try to insult me).

No, I never have and never will. The reason I won't is because of the subject at hand. In addition, all of the other transportation options fit my needs, I understand the desire for some people to need or want to rent a car, I don't have that same desire or need. I have traveled all over the island north, south, east and west without renting one.

I don't need to have rented a car to opine what I think to be the general consensus on this board has been to what happens if a gringo hits and injures a local. We have a well experienced and respected member of this board that went through the experience personally. There also was a very defined report not that long ago on this forum that laid it out in extreme detail, if I can find it I will post it, if any other member knows the post I am referring to please post it, it wasn't that long ago, a month maybe.

[Jaosousa]

Two very different things. A hillbilly comes from the Appalachian mountains as the "hill" in the name refers to.

A redneck can be from anywhere. Take, for instance, Jeff Foxworthy, the author of "You Might be a Redneck if." He is from Hapeville, Georgia, which is 5 minutes from downtown Atlanta. Just the other day a female friend from Syracuse, New York was telling me her town is full of rednecks.

Thanks. The back of my white neck might get red next week (if I don't put sun block lotion).

[Jaosousa]

No, I don't know that as a fact. Read my post again,"I may be WRONG"."I don't THINK it matters".

Do YOU know anyone that has injured a person in the DR that WASN'T locked up?

Have you ever rented a car in the Dominican Republic?

I'll answer your question when you respond to my question (I have asked you basic, easy non-confrontational questions recently and your response one time was to curse at me and try to insult me).