Dominican Republic Rolls Out Road Safety Push for Semana Santa
Travelers heading to the Dominican Republic during Semana Santa (Holy Week) should expect a heightened traffic enforcement presence on highways and city streets. The country's traffic authority, Digesett, has kicked off a nationwide road safety initiative called "Ruta Cero" (Route Zero), which was formally launched in Santiago de los Caballeros, according to Dominican Today.
What the campaign involves
The program is built around three ambitious targets during the holiday period: no crashes, no fatalities, and no injuries on Dominican roads. Officials are directing the message at motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and public transport drivers alike, urging cautious driving and mutual respect on the country's busy corridors.
According to Dominican Today, Digesett is combining educational outreach with on-site checkpoints and awareness activities as part of the rollout. Similar Holy Week operations in past years have concentrated resources along the main arteries connecting Santo Domingo with beach destinations like Punta Cana, Samaná, Puerto Plata, and Juan Dolio, which see enormous domestic travel volumes during the religious holiday.
What visitors should know
Holy Week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year in the DR, and roads leading out of the capital typically see heavy congestion from Holy Wednesday through Easter Sunday. If you're renting a car or transferring between resorts during this window, keep the following in mind:
- Allow extra time. Traffic stops and speed enforcement will be more frequent than usual.
- Carry your documents. Have your passport, driver's license, and rental agreement accessible in case you're waved through a checkpoint.
- Avoid alcohol behind the wheel. Sobriety checks are a standard feature of the campaign, and penalties are strict.
- Consider daytime driving. Nighttime road conditions, combined with holiday traffic, raise the risk of incidents significantly.
- Beach traffic peaks midweek. Departures on Holy Thursday and returns on Easter Sunday tend to be the most congested.
For those staying at all-inclusive resorts, transfers arranged through the property are generally the safest and most predictable option during this period. Independent travelers using public transport or ride-hailing apps should factor extra travel time into their plans.