Mexico City, July 23 – Drivers in Mexico City who are required to wear corrective lenses as per their driving license restriction could face significant fines if caught driving without them. This regulation, often overlooked, emphasizes road safety and the conditions under which licenses are granted.
The Obligation to Wear Corrective Lenses
When a driver’s license is issued in Mexico City, authorities conduct an evaluation to ensure the applicant possesses the necessary physical capabilities to operate a vehicle safely. If corrective lenses are deemed essential for driving, this condition is formally noted as a restriction on the license. This means that the driving privilege is granted on the understanding that the driver will always use their prescribed glasses while behind the wheel.
Despite this, many drivers are unaware that failing to wear these lenses not only poses a risk to themselves and other road users but can also result in a substantial fine, potentially exceeding 1,000 pesos.
What the Driving License Says
The restriction on a license signifies that the authorization to drive is contingent upon the use of corrective lenses. Therefore, drivers are expected to adhere to this condition whenever they are operating a vehicle.
It is important to clarify that the Mexico City Traffic Regulations do not contain a specific article that explicitly penalizes those who drive without the glasses indicated on their license. Consequently, there isn’t a direct infraction worded in those exact terms.
However, the absence of an explicit mention does not exempt drivers from potential penalties.
Penalties for Obstructed Visibility
Despite the lack of a specific mention of corrective lenses, Article 38, Section II, subsection a) of the Mexico City Traffic Regulations prohibits drivers from “carrying objects that obstruct the driver’s visibility or distract them.”
The purpose of this provision is to ensure that vehicle operators maintain conditions that do not compromise their reaction capabilities or endanger the safety of other road users. Therefore, if a traffic officer determines that driving without corrective lenses, when they are essential for the driver’s vision, impairs safe driving or reduces visibility, they could apply the infraction stipulated for behaviors that compromise driver visibility.
This possibility, however, depends on the specific circumstances of the case and the discretion of the authority, given that the regulation does not expressly mention corrective lenses within this prohibition.
The Sanctions
The penalty for violating Article 38, Section II, subsection a) includes:
- A fine ranging from 5 to 10 Units of Measurement and Actualization (UMA), which translates to between $586.55 and $1,173.10 pesos.
- A one-point penalty on the driver’s license.
- A one-point penalty on the vehicle’s registration (plates).
Beyond a potential sanction, driving with the necessary visual correction is a safety measure for the driver, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. Limited vision can significantly increase the risk of accidents during any journey.
Source: adn40.mx
