Three people were injured in a traffic accident that occurred on Monday night in the area of ​​Paraíso, on the Camino Forestal, in Chilibre. The collision occurred between two vehicles at approximately 9:00 pm. Although the causes of the accident are unknown, people passing by stopped to provide aid to those affected. Minutes later, an ambulance and firefighters rushed to the scene to rescue the wounded. One of those injured in this accident was Hector Villarreal, 34, who was taken to the emergency room of the Santo Tomas Hospital. Then two more wounded were taken to the CSS hospital on Transístmica. Traffic Authorities are investigating the accident. (Siglo)

A traffic accident that occurred at kilometer 48 of the highway from Almirante to Rambala killed 48 year old Dilio Béker Béker on Sunday night.

The accident occurred when a tour bus, traveling from Costa Rica to the capital city with a tour group, ran over a pedestrian who was lying on the road.

Some of the bus passengers reported they felt a bump, but they never imagined that the car had passed over the body of a person.

It was learned that Béker was the Representative of the community of Cauchero for the Democratic Change party in the last period.

Transit authorities presume Béker fell asleep in the middle of the street under the influence of alcohol. However, it was learned that he does not drink liquor.

It rests with the competent authorities to determine whether or not there was a criminal hand in the death of former representative.

Béker was preparing, with four opponents, to vie for the nomination to be the Representative for Cauchero for the Democratic Change party (in the upcoming primary elections). (Siglo)

Rosa Quiel died today, Thursday, at 11.30 am, when the small school bus she was driving collided with a white truck with license plate number 954923, an accident which occurred in the community of El Palmar, Puerto Armuelles, in the district of Baru, province of Chiriqui.

The driver was trapped in the vehicle and firefighters had to use special equipment to remove her from the wreckage.

She was transporting a group of boxers to the community of Esperanza, where they were to hold a boxing activity.

The bus she was driving was in the correct lane, when she was hit by the truck who crossed over into the oncoming lane.

Police officers responded to the scene, who cordoned off the area, and prosecutors ordered the transfer of the body to the Judicial Morgue.

It was learned that not only did she drive the small bus, but she was also a pastor in her community. (Critica)

Three people were killed and three injured was the result of a traffic accident in Arraiján. The incident occurred when the car fell into a ravine near the National Air Service in the rain. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital. (Dia a Dia)

Editor's Comment: Slightly different take on the same accident. It looks like maybe the driver of the car lost control in the rain and the car went into the ravine, which was swollen by the rainwater. The thing about the car being swept off of the road by the force of the water sounded sort of wrong, on the face of it. Maybe he hydroplaned?

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - How many times have you heard me say it? When driving in Panama, it is highly recommended to have a dash cam video running at all times. You simply never know what's going to happen at the end of your front bumper. Matt, a long time Panama Guide reader, took that advice. Take a look at what happened to him today.

Editor's Comment: Thank God, he wasn't injured. The two people who bailed out of the truck were taken away in an ambulance. When you see it happen on the video, this accident was obviously caused by the truck on the hill that lost its brakes. But now change the scenario slightly. What if the truck just rolled backward and only hit the first vehicle, then stopped. What if there were no other witnesses? The truck driver could have easily claimed that he was hit from behind in traffic court, right? Having this video to play in court will make the decision easy for the judge, because he doesn't have to figure out who's lying to him. Buy a dash cam! Do it now. You won't regret it.

Copyright 2012 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - You guys already know I'm a big fan of having a dash cam (video) running in your car at all times. It gives you an additional layer of protection here in Panama because it eliminates the "my word against his" scenario - where the "gringo" is often assumed to be at fault.

Take a look at this compilation of traffic accidents caught on dash cams from around the world. When you're watching this video, ask yourself - "How many of these accidents would I have been able to avoid if I was the driver in the car with the camera?" If some other guy does something stupid, loses control, and crosses over into your lane, many times you go from zero to head-on in one second or less - with no time at all to react.

These videos will also reinforce the need to always have a small fire extinguisher in your vehicle with you. Watch to see how many vehicles burst into flames at the moment of impact. What would you be able to do if that was facing you on the other side of your windshield? Anyway, presented as a public service announcement, advocating for traffic safety, and the value of dash cams.

Copyright 2012 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Don't forget to follow Panama Guide on Twitter. Salud.

A man was hit on Via Domingo Diaz, San Miguelito, this morning, which caused a huge traffic jam in the area. The worker was crossing the road to go to work in a bottling company, and he did not notice that the direction of traffic on the road had been reversed. The injured man was taken by ambulance to a hospital for medical care, while his coworkers closed the road for several minutes to protest the accident. (Dia a Dia)

The driver of a truck dedicated to the distribution of newspapers overturned on the road to Arraiján, in the early morning hours of today. Early reports point out that the driver lost control, and in addition to the road was wet. The truck driver was unhurt. (Critica)

The Tenth Circuit Prosecutor referred the petition to a court asking for a trial against Aaron Moisés Malca for the death of Elsa Yaneth Gutiérrez, which occurred in May 2012 on Avenida Balboa. Malca has been charged with manslaughter, for the collision that killed Gutierrez, who was on a motorcycle with her daughter Leidys Buitrago, who suffered injuries after the accident. Elsa Yaneth died instantly in the crash, while Leidys was taken to the Santo Tomas hospital.

Leidys' mother Elsa went on the day of the accident to pick her up at the restaurant where she worked, and as they were driving on the Coastal Strip a car with licence plate number 637929 collided with them. Both the deceased and the injured are Colombian nationals. Leidys Buitrago was hospitalized for a long time to receive medical attention for an injured spine, which is recovering and she has to undergo therapy.

Last August the prosecutor held a reconstruction of the events, with the presence of the prosecutor and the young survivor of the accident. During the reconstruction, the prosecution determined the final positions of the vehicle and the motorcycle. There was a witness who said the vehicle ended up 350 meters from the point of impact, and a police officer went looking for it. In this case, a the witness identified the person who had been involved in the accident to a police officer.

The person accused has been released on bail for $35,000 and he also faces another process for personal injuries. The complaint and prosecutors are awaiting the court's decision. (Critica)

Amid protests that occur in the city of Colon, was the death of the driver of an ambulance while transporting patients from Sabanitas to Colon. The accident occurred in the 4 Altos de Colón, when the driver tried to dodge some stones, the driver ran headlong into another car. The ambulance left the road and hit with the restraining bars. (Telemetro)

Editor's Comment: It's not really clear if protesters were actively throwing rocks at the ambulance. There were protests in the area when the accident occurred. Protesters and riot control police were facing off. There were rocks in the road, and maybe that's what the driver was trying to avoid. Anyway, she hit another car head-on, and then swerved into the guard rail where he vehicle came to a stop. There was a father in the back of the ambulance with his small daughter (the patient) in his arms. He got out of the ambulance, and continued on to the hospital in a taxi. Police and firemen responded to the scene to recover the driver's corpse.

The driver of an ambulance transporting patients from the Polyclinic Hospital Sabanitas towards the Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero hospital in the city of Colon died (at the scene) after colliding head-on with another car. According to preliminary information, the driver - whose name is Irasema - tried to dodge the protesters throwing stones at the police. It was learned that the patients who were in the back of the ambulance were taken by taxi to the Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero hospital. (Estrella)

Editor's Comment: Yup. She was driving an ambulance, trying to take people who were injured to the hospital. Protesters in the street starting throwing rocks at the ambulance. She tried to swerve, but ended up in a head-on accident, and she was killed.

A 40 year old man remains in serious condition in the hospital, after the car he was driving collided against the "Jersey" barriers that divide the lanes of the highway from Arraiján to La Chorrera. The strong impact occurred in the lane that leads to the capital city at 7:00 pm yesterday. The unconscious man was taken to the Nicholas A Solano hospital in La Chorrera, and later was transferred to the Santo Tomas hospital due to his serious condition. Other drivers who passed through the place denounced the lack of lights and signs on the highway, indicating that at night when it's raining and visibility is reduced to a minimum. (Dia a Dia)

Editor's Comment: I was driving back from the interior last night, and I went right by this accident, shortly after it had occurred. It was very dark due to a heavy rainstorm. This highway, between Arraiján and La Chorrera, is undergoing work and it's recently been repaved. In some areas the road just goes from three lanes to two, with no signs or warning at all. In some areas there's no paint on the roadway, at all. So, at night, with no lights, heavy rain, greatly reduced visibility, and no lane markings - you feel like you're driving on an expanse of black glass that just goes off into the distance. Very, very dangerous. I tried hard to get back to the city before dark but got delayed. At least I made it over Cerro Campana, but had to do the last leg after dark. Be very careful if you're driving in this area, especially after dark, and especially if it's raining. Take your time, go slow, and adjust your speed to the conditions.

Six people were injured Tuesday afternoon when the driver of a bus from the Panama - El Valle route lost control and crashed into a fixed object. After the impact the bus overturned. The accident happened in the area of ​​Villa del Rosario, in the district of Capira when the bus, as it was headed toward the capital city to drop off passengers, said a source of the traffic police. The causes of the accident are being investigated. (Siglo)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Last night I came upon a relatively recent traffic accident at the intersection of Via España and Via Brazil in downtown Panama City. Apparently, one of the older "Red Devil" buses was coming down Via España at speed, and my guess from looking at the results of the accident, is that the light changed from green to red against him. A small black sedan rolled into the intersection, most likely the first car out after the light changed from red to green in his favor and wham, he got t-boned by the bus that was running to try to make it through the changing light.

The bus was going full speed, and there was a long set of black skid marks on the pavement of Via España, so the bus driver got on the brakes and was sliding when the impact occurred. That's primarily why I think the accident was most likely caused by the bus speeding, and running the red light.

Two people were injured, the driver of the sedan and one person on the bus. They were both taken to the hospital in an ambulance. When I got there the traffic police were still gathering up their data and interviewing the bus driver. A police Lieutenant who was there said they would be checking the video surveillance cameras in the area to see if there is any video evidence of who was at fault. He also said they can measure the skid marks on the road left by the bus, and that will tell them how fast he was going at the time of the impact. I shot some video, and left. This is why they call these buses "Red Devils."

Copyright 2012 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

The driver of a sedan was killed when the vehicle crashed into a light pole in El Balboa, between Rio Abajo and Parque Lefevre. According to information from witnesses, this accident could have been caused by the lack of respect for traffic lights and signs, in addition to speeding. The Traffic Operations Division of the National Police (PN), arrived at the scene to begin an investigation. So far this year 333 people have died in traffic accidents in Panama, 282 days into the year, according to the National Police. (Dia a Dia)

Editor's Comment: Driving is the most dangerous thing you will probably do in Panama.

Severe penalties of five to seven years will be imposed on those who use public roads for illegal racing, according to the proposal before the full legislature presented by the First Vice President of the National Assembly, Abraham Martinez. "This legislative initiative wants to give additional and necessary shielding or protective custody, to the life and health of the public, and it also sanctions those who circulate on public roads at speeds not permitted, or who try to escape from the National Police," Martinez said.

The proposal adds to Book II, Title I, Chapter I, of the Penal Code, in the Fourth Section, called "Traffic Offenses Against Life or Personal Health," which in the new Article 144-A would punish with imprisonment from five to seven years anyone who drives a vehicle on public roads conducing unauthorized and illegal races, and it would also punish by imprisonment of three to five years any person who is dedicated to changing the speed of vehicles, knowing that they will be used in underground racing. (Mi Diario)

Editor's Comment: You see? These idiots always have to go the extra step. Did you read that last line? If a car mechanic alters your car's engine to make it faster, if this proposal passes as written (and, it won't), then if you use the car in an illegal race the mechanic can go to prison for three to five years. It should not be a crime to own a fast car. It should be a crime to break the speed limit, or participate in an illegal race on public streets. But, making it a crime to work on a car? Give me a break... This whole thing came up because TVN caught video of guys racing on the Coastal Strip. And by the way, this is not a new issue. "Tumba Muerto" (Tomb of the Dead) got its name because kids would race modified American muscle cars at night in the 1960's shortly after the new road was built. They would get in accidents, and die, and go to their tombs - hence the name.

More than 12 people were injured when a bus that was transporting 56 people who were working on the expansion of the Panama Canal flipped over on the Pan American Highway, blocking three of the four lanes of traffic. Alexis Alvarez, a member of Firefighter Corps of Panama, said twelve people were seriously injured, two of those were critically injured, and the rest of the passengers were banged up. He said the accident occurred at 5:56 am near the Bridge of the Americas. He added that so far the cause of the accident is unknown. Six ambulances responded to the scene, which transported those who were seriously injured to the Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital Complex and the rest to the Santo Tomas hospital, in Panama City. (Panama America)

Guillermo Munoz, 51, died in a serious accident at the intersection of Via Brazil and Via España in downtown Panama City. The driver lost control of the car, and the sedan with registration number 975366 crashed into a restraint bar, placed for the construction of the new Metro subway system. Also in the car was Juliana Sanchez, who was seriously injured. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: Wow. I drive through that area practically every day, and there's no way in hell anyone should ever be going fast enough to be able to do that kind of damage to their car, or themselves.

A delivery truck from the Estrella Azul company overturned and ended up on a house located in the area of La Represa in the area of ​​Cativá in Colon. The truck was loaded with milk, and was going to make a delivery in the higher elevation area of the community, but he could not climb the hill and the truck fell into the house owned by Miguel Esteban Contreras, 64. The victim said it's not the first time this type of accident has occurred in the exact same place, and he's afraid something will happen to him and his family. (Dia a Dia)

A car was hit by a freight train of Panama Canal Railway Company in the area of Arco Iris in the province of Colon. It was learned that a large traffic jam was created because of the accident. According to the correspondent Rolando Espinoza, the driver was unhurt in the accident. According to sources the 4x4 driver tried to cross the road quickly, but the train hit him. The rear and side of the car were destroyed. While one of the residents who witnessed the accident said, in his opinion, a cargo container could fall on his house as the result of these types of accidents. (TVN)

At least 17 people were ​​injured in a collision between a white Coaster bus from the Bocas del Toro route, and a red Nissan Patrol SUV.

The accident occurred at 3:00 pm on Tuesday on the road leading to Boquete, in the community of El Frances, during a rainstorm.

The mishap occurred when the bus carrying about 27 students from the school of Almirante, Bocas del Toro, with licence plate number 1B-0085 and registration 602528, collided with the Nissan Patrol with plate number 741479.

Seventeen students were injured as a result of the strong impact, who were treated by the paramedics from the Fire Department of David and Boquete. The injured were taken to the Emergency Room of the Rafael Hernandez regional hospital in David.

One 18 wheeler cargo truck lost control and went off of the road near the Rod Carew national baseball stadium, and another truck tried to help pull him out, causing a partial closure of the roadway. This situation generated a massive traffic jam that stretched all the way from the industrial area where they are building the materials for the new Panama Metro subway system to the entrance of Bethania. In the traffic jam, six suspects decided to try to rob the drivers while they were sitting in their cars, at gunpoint. However the quick action by the officers of the National Police resulted in the arrest of five. (Panama America)

At least 16 people were injured when a bus from the Torrijos Carter route crashed on the Norther Corridor, against the base of an access bridge. The accident occurred at Avenida Juan Pablo Segundo, and several ambulances have been dispatched to the scene to treat the wounded. So far the real causes of the accident are unknown. Traffic through the area is slow as emergency responders clean up the mess. (Panama America)

Speeding and drunk driving caused a triple collision on Ave 12 de Octubre early today, where passengers were trapped in a white car. The injured were rescued by units of the National Police and the 911 ambulance service, and were transferred to the Santo Tomas hospital in Panama City where they received medical attention and are out of danger. (Dia a Dia)

There was an accident involving three vehicles on the Northern Corridor. First, an 18 wheeler with plate 678226 from the company Alvarez Transports hit a Mack crane truck owned by the Norther Corridor with license plate number 701258. This impact occurred first, and then apparently the crane swung around and hit a bus from the Chilibre - Ancon route with license plate number 373805. There are four wounded.

Rubén Castro, the driver of the crane truck, said the accident occurred when they were using the crane to install some street signs, then they were moving the trucks. The police were controlling the flow of traffic and ordering vehicles to go around where they were working. Castro in the process of bringing down the crane's boom, a mechanical arm that can lift 16 tons, when the 18 wheeler from the company Alvarez Transports impacted the crane truck. This caused the crane to swing around and it hit the bus from Chilibre in the back on the left side.

Mario Elias was driving the bus. He said at first there was was the accident and everyone stopped, and when the crane started moving the driver did not check the boom, and he felt the blow when it hit the bus. In that part of the bus there was a pregnant woman, a child, a man, and the husband of the pregnant women who were hit but are in stable condition. (Dia a Dia)

The driver of a vehicle that lost control of this car yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, while traveling on the Northern Corridor, is out of danger. The driver was distracted at the wheel for a fraction of a second, and he lost control of the vehicle. He tried to regain control, but the car was headed for the drainage ditch and would not stop, because when he hit the brakes the tires slid on the wet pavement until it finally hit against the railing. The steel structure was destroyed, but it worked out to prevent the car from leaving the roadway, said a person who attended the driver.

Another driver who was also traveling in the same direction from Panama towards Colon, said he stopped his car to help the driver, who said he was more scared over what happened than physically injured. Officers from the Traffic Operations Department of the National Police began investigating the case.

According to experts, one must study the rate at which the driver circulated on the highway, which was made for traveling at 100 kilometers per hour. It should be noted that the incident occurred during a persistent drizzle fell. Fortunately the victim is out of danger, there was only property damage. The Transit Authority and Land Transportation recommends drivers to travel with caution. (Critica)

Editor's Comment: It only takes a split second to make yourself a dumb-ass.

Two people were slightly injured when three vehicles collided and one ended up crashing into the base of the Perurena bridge in the district of Arraiján. The accident occurred at 1:30 pm on Wednesday when the driver of a sedan tried to avoid a cyclist, and then pushed a flatbed truck into an 18 wheeler, and when the driver of the truck maneuvered to avoid the collision, he hit the base of the bridge. The articulated truck driver, Francisco Cordova said he was leaving with his vehicle from the Centennial Bridge towards the Arraiján - La Chorrera highway, when he saw a cyclist (bicycle) cut off the sedan. The driver of the 18 wheeler and the flatbed truck were injured - and meanwhile the cyclist went on his merry way. (Critica)

A truck overturned on Saturday in Loma Cova, district of Arraiján, scattering boxes of goodies (candy) all over the roadway. Another driver stopped to help pick up the boxes, in order to prevent a traffic jam headed toward Panama City. Roberto Gonzalez, a person who was passing by the accident, had to use his fire extinguisher to keep the smoke coming from the truck's engine from turning into a fire. Luckily no one was injured in this accident. (Dia a Dia)

Two people were seriously injured in a collision that occurred on the Pan American Highway near La Pesa, in the district of La Chorrera, on Wednesday morning. Odorino Espino, one of the drivers involved, said he was running an errand in a red pickup truck when he felt a strong impact from the rear of the vehicle. Florencio Lopez, a resident of the place, said accidents happen all the time in the area, caused by the poor construction of the islets. The Fire Service Ambulance from La Chorrera carried the injured to the Nicolas Solano hospital in La Chorrera, where they were hospitalized. (TVN)

In 241 days so far in 2012, there have been a total of 2,422 traffic accidents which have killed a total of 289 people, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Traffic, Aldo Macre. He said of the total, 27 people were run over, of which eight were presumed to have been caused by either impudence by the pedestrian or alcohol consumption by the driver. The commissioner said every weekend they issue about 200 tickets to people who are driving under the influence of alcohol. He said the Traffic Police has established three levels in the alcohol test. The first level is tolerance, when the breath test scores 24 deciliter (breath alcohol), the second level up to 40 deciliter is considered intoxicated, and finally a score of 41 or more the driver's license is taken away for three to six months. He added that the traffic police have been working to make some preventive actions, trying to involve private enterprise. (Panama America)

Editor's Comment: One of the most dangerous things you will ever do in Panama is drive. Even if you're not driving drunk, the other guy might be.