El Salvador implemented a broad and coordinated public safety plan during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, focusing on prevention and rapid emergency response across the country. The operation involved the deployment of more than 100,000 personnel nationwide, reinforcing government efforts to protect citizens during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
According to the Minister of Public Works, Romeo Herrera, authorities placed special emphasis on traffic regulation and road safety, installing vehicle control checkpoints along major highways. These measures contributed to a decrease in road fatalities compared to the previous year. “In terms of fatalities from traffic accidents, we achieved a 5% reduction,” Herrera stated, while also noting that accident trends must be analyzed in relation to the country’s growing vehicle fleet. “The increase in vehicles largely explains why accidents tend to rise,” he added.
The official also highlighted recent reforms to the Land Transportation, Traffic and Road Safety Law, approved in December 2024 and effective as of December 29. The changes mandate the use of child safety seats in vehicles and certified helmets for motorcyclists. “In the United States and Europe, the use of certified helmets and child seats is mandatory, and fines are imposed when these rules are not followed,” Herrera said. “If a helmet is not certified, the likelihood of death in an accident is much higher—it is essentially the same as having no protection.”
Authorities emphasized that these actions are part of a comprehensive road safety strategy, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as motorcyclists and children. The administration of President Nayib Bukele confirmed that these measures will remain in place, reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives on El Salvador’s streets and highways.