Colombian Government Plans New National Traffic Code

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President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered the drafting of a new national traffic code during a Council of Ministers meeting in Barranquilla, tasking Transport Minister Elsa Noguera with the bill's creation. The proposed reform aimed to reduce specific traffic fines by up to 50 percent, lower the costs of driving licenses and offender courses, and decrease fees associated with towing and impound lots. This initiative targeted the controversial automated camera enforcement system, which has faced criticism regarding its role as a revenue-generating mechanism for municipal governments that collected COP 11.9 trillion in fines over two decades.

Consequences

The proposal faces significant political hurdles in Congress, as it threatens a major revenue stream for city halls that collected approximately US$3.7 billion over the last twenty years. Simultaneously, a separate ongoing watchdog investigation into 7.5 million camera-issued fines could lead to the cancellation of 5.8 million unpaid citations, though these remain legally enforceable until any official legislative changes are signed.

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