Paraguay Senate approves 'emergency' bill enabling return of speed cameras

Paraguay's Senate has passed a bill declaring a National Road Safety Emergency, a move that critics contend is designed to facilitate the return of controversial speed cameras and grant undue discretion to officials.

The legislation, which passed swiftly without extensive technical studies, grants Félix Jiménez, the head of the National Directorate of Transit and Road Safety and an ally of Senator Basilio "Bachi" Núñez, broad authority. This includes the ability to bypass standard state procurement controls and reintroduce photo-enforcement systems on national roads.

The bill originated in the Chamber of Deputies and was pushed by ruling party members. Official arguments cite traffic accidents as a leading cause of death among young people as justification for the emergency declaration. However, opposition senators, including Esperanza Martínez, José Oviedo, and Rafael Filizzola, have voiced strong objections.

These senators argue that the five-article bill lacks clarity and primarily serves to prioritize state contract negotiations for allies. They contend that declaring a national emergency is unnecessary if the goal is simply to implement technology, suggesting the true purpose is to streamline government purchases for favored individuals and companies.

Senator "Bachi" Núñez defended the bill, questioning the opposition's fear of speed cameras and pointing to their use in Brazil as an example of effective technology implementation. Opponents, however, maintain that the declaration of emergency is a political maneuver to benefit specific interests rather than a genuine effort to improve road safety.

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