By Mayra Beltrán de Daetz

GUATEMALA: The Government of Guatemala has decided to make changes to the mobility of two people on a motorcycle. Since May 9, 2009, two people caught riding together on a motorcycle are fined Q1,000.00, approximately US$125.00.

The reason for the change in law is that they have estimated that roughly 80% of the murders committed in Guatemala have been by two people riding on a motorcycle.

The government expects this measure to be successful since it produced good results in other countries. The officials cite the city of Medellin, Colombia where crime rates fell by 40% over a period of six months after changes in their motorcycle laws.

The above changes are covered under Government Agreement No. 105-2009, which came into effect April 9, 2009 and could last as long as a year. As with every rule, it has its exceptions and, of course, both police officers and Police City Transit may continue riding motorcycles carrying two people.

This new rule includes that the motorcyclists "must" wear a fluorescent yellow jacket with reflective signals horizontal and vertical ones over it, as well as, the number plate on the motorcycle jacket. It must be visible to a distance of 5 meters.

This means that an estimated 600 thousand motorcycles circulating must incur such costs, so you do the math. The jackets are being sold on the informal trade, ranging in price from Q35 to Q40 roughly about U.S. $ 5.00.

Like any change, this has been no exception in creating discontent among users of motorcycles. They have organized and carried out protests for the law not to be enforced. Why?