Deadly crash highlights urgent need for taxi-moto road tests

CAP-HAÏTIEN — A fatal accident involving a three-wheel taxi motorcycle on Aug. 26 has intensified calls for mandatory road tests, wider roads, and dedicated motorcycle lanes in Cap-Haïtien. The crash, which claimed at least four lives, highlighted long-standing concerns over the safety of the growing group of three-wheel taxis, or “ti moto,” that have flooded the city’s streets in recent years.

“We’re not supposed to drive in the streets without taking a test,” said Peterly Jean, a three-wheel taxi driver, as he navigated National Route #1 on Aug. 28. “Not even just that, they’re supposed to give us training. That’s necessary. We often get criticized for the way we drive, and it’s true—we drive recklessly.”

The crash occurred at night time on National Route #1 in Vaudreuil, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Cap-Haïtien, when the taxi-moto collided with a Mack truck. The impact split the vehicle in two, killing four people on board. Authorities have yet to release the victims’ identities.

Introduced in 2019, three-wheel taxis have become a popular mode of transport for Cap-Haïtien’s residents, particularly young men facing the city’s high unemployment rate. These vehicles, which can carry up to five passengers, are faster than traditional tap-taps or taxi-vans, offering a quicker commute and has the ability to carry more passengers than the two-wheel motos. However, their presence has exacerbated traffic problems and raised safety concerns.

Many drivers acknowledged that three-wheel taxis have made public transportation faster, but they also pose risks. When attempting to bypass cars, drivers often hit them or flip over. Although three-wheel taxis are technically restricted to the city’s main roads, their increasing numbers continue to cause congestion.

City officials, including Deputy Mayor Patrick Almonor, have yet to address these issues, despite plans dating back to 2018 to create dedicated motorcycle lanes. Almonor did not respond to requests for comment.

The lack of formal training for drivers, many of them young, has contributed to the problem. Some drivers, like Jean, teach themselves to drive, with no formal road test or extensive training required. Jean, who has been a three-wheel taxi driver since October 2023, said he is a disciplined driver and has never been in an accident. To obtain a permit, drivers need only an identification card, two passport photos, and a fee of 750 gourdes, or roughly USD 5.

Residents recount frequent and harrowing three-wheel taxi incidents

Residents recount frequent incidents involving the three-wheelers, many of which go unreported. Dudley Saintil, a 23-year-old resident of Vaudreuil, recalled a near-miss in January 2024 when the driver of the three-wheeler he was riding in failed to properly navigate around another vehicle.

“We’re lucky it didn’t flip over. God saved us,” Saintil said. “I get scared when I hop in them, but I have no choice.”

Saintil relies on three-wheel taxis for daily transport, despite his concerns, as they are faster and less stifling than the often-overcrowded tap-taps. Saintil also takes three-wheelers because it is often hot in the tap taps, which rarely have air conditioners on. A three-wheeler ride costs between 50 to 150 gourdes, or about 38 cents to USD 1.13. He hopes the city will widen the roads and impose stricter licensing requirements for drivers.

“The three-wheelers are not the problem, but the people driving them are,” Saintil said. “They need to be more cautious. That will decrease the number of accidents.”

Others share Saintil’s concerns. Evens Thermidor, a carpenter, reluctantly uses the three-wheel taxis when tap-taps are unavailable. He owns a three-wheeler, which he uses to transport materials for work, but even he has experienced accidents. In February 2024, Thermidor’s three-wheeler flipped while trying to avoid a car that stopped abruptly in front of him. Though he was uninjured, his passenger sustained a bruised knee.

“It’s a three-wheeler so it just flipped, It’s very easy for them to flip,” said Thermidor, 39. “The State needs to make the road larger. Most of the drivers I meet drive badly, although a few are cautious.”

Balancing livelihoods with road safety needs

Mandatory road tests and training programs could reduce accidents, but many fear such regulations would cost young men their income, leaving them struggling to find another job. Jean, who worked a 12-hour shift on Aug. 28 and earned 5,200 gourdes (USD 39), is concerned about the negative perception of drivers like him.

“I don’t feel good when they talk bad about three-wheeler drivers because I’m one of them,” Jean said. “But to tell you the truth, we don’t listen. We need training, and I’m willing to pay for it.”

For many, the call for improved safety standards is urgent. Until the city addresses the pressing need for road safety reforms and infrastructure upgrades, the risk of more tragic accidents looms large over Cap-Haïtien’s streets.

The post Deadly crash highlights urgent need for taxi-moto road tests appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Deadly crash highlights urgent need for taxi-moto road tests was first posted on September 6, 2024 at 7:00 am.