Summary.
The bill would require all traffic signals already installed or installed in the future in the Republic of Panama to be equipped with audible devices. The devices are intended to help people with visual disabilities or reduced vision use the signals. Installation would follow the technical and accessibility standards determined by the Land Transit and Transportation Authority (Autoridad del Tránsito y Transporte Terrestre), in coordination with the National Disability Secretariat (Secretaría Nacional de Discapacidad). The requirement would cover existing equipment as well as signals installed after the proposed law takes effect.
The Land Transit and Transportation Authority would supervise implementation of the proposed law. It would also provide for funds in its budget allocations to install the equipment and carry out preventive and corrective maintenance, with the aim of keeping it in working order. The devices’ audible output must not cause noise pollution that disrupts normal environmental conditions or has adverse effects on hearing health. These provisions address the operation and upkeep of the equipment after installation, alongside its incorporation into traffic signals.
The bill directs the Land Transit and Transportation Authority to design periodic information campaigns explaining the use of installed signals and raising awareness of the inclusion of people with disabilities. For interinstitutional coordination, the authority and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities (Secretaría Nacional de Discapacitados) would encourage the involvement of other institutions, nongovernmental organizations, civil society and international organizations dedicated to promoting and defending the rights of people with disabilities. Their involvement would help support and monitor implementation and assess its effectiveness. The transit authority would impose fines on people who intentionally destroy, steal or misuse installed audible traffic signals.
For signals already installed, the Land Transit and Transportation Authority would work with municipalities to prepare a plan for progressively retrofitting them with audible devices throughout the country. The plan would have to be carried out within no more than one (1) year from the proposed law’s entry into force. School areas, hospital areas and places with heavy pedestrian traffic would receive priority. The bill provides that the law would take effect on the day after its promulgation in the Official Gazette (Gaceta Oficial). It does not expressly amend other legislation.
The public bodies connected with the proposal are the Land Transit and Transportation Authority, the National Disability Secretariat, the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities and municipalities. Its provisions could interest or affect people with visual disabilities or reduced vision, pedestrians, organizations working on disability rights, and sectors involved in traffic signal equipment and maintenance.
What it proposes.
- Audible equipment for existing and future traffic signals.
- Technical and accessibility standards for audible signals.
- Oversight, maintenance, public information and progressive retrofitting.
- Fines for intentional destruction, theft or misuse of audible signals.
Who it would affect.
- People with visual disabilities or reduced vision.
- The Land Transit and Transportation Authority and municipalities.
- People who intentionally destroy, steal or misuse installed audible traffic signals.
Key points.
- All existing and future traffic signals in the Republic of Panama would need audible devices for people with visual disabilities or reduced vision.Arts. 1-2
- The Land Transit and Transportation Authority would set technical and accessibility standards in coordination with the National Disability Secretariat.Art. 2
- The transit authority would supervise implementation and budget for equipment installation and maintenance.Art. 3
- The devices’ sound must not cause noise pollution or adverse effects on hearing health.Art. 4
- The transit authority would run periodic information campaigns and, with the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, encourage other bodies and organizations to support and monitor implementation.Arts. 5-6
- The transit authority would impose fines for intentionally destroying, stealing or misusing installed audible traffic signals.Art. 7
- A plan coordinated with municipalities would progressively retrofit existing signals within no more than one (1) year, prioritizing school areas, hospital areas and places with heavy pedestrian traffic.Art. 8
- The proposed law would take effect on the day after its promulgation in the Official Gazette.Art. 9