Nicaragua police raise daily arrests of drunk or unlicensed drivers to 71

Nicaragua's Police raised the daily average of detentions of drunk or unlicensed drivers to 71. (Photo: Canal 2)Nicaragua's Police increased arrests of unlicensed or drunk drivers since mid-October 2026. The daily average rose from 46 to 71 detentions, according to a monitoring by Confidencial.digital based on available police reports. Between January 1 and November 8, the Police detained 17,599 drivers: 13,536 for driving without a license and 4,063 for driving while intoxicated. The arrests are part of the controls applied to prevent traffic accidents, while the available records reflect a high number of collisions. Detentions of drivers who drive drunk or without a license can last between 48 and 72 hours. The measure began to be applied in 2024, after a year in which Nicaragua surpassed 1,000 deaths from traffic accidents and recorded more than 51,104 crashes. The National Traffic Safety Directorate reinforced the operations with the aim of reducing collisions, injuries, and deaths on the roads. The increase in arrests occurred during a period in which public information on accidents presented limitations. In 2024, 55,968 traffic accidents were counted. The Police did not report the annual total of collisions corresponding to 2025. In the first months of 2026, the count compiled from weekly reports reached nearly 54,600 accidents. The figure could not be completed because one of the reports published in early April did not include the number of collisions. The institution also did not publish a cumulative total of people killed in traffic accidents in 2026. Some weekly statements indicated that there were five, six, or seven fewer deaths than during the previous period, without specifying the number of victims used as a reference. The consolidated figure available in the weekly reports indicates that there were 1,525 people injured in traffic accidents. The Police also suspended 36,939 driver's licenses, according to the monitoring by Confidencial.digital. Detentions of people who drive drunk or without a license last between 48 and 72 hours. (Photo: VMT)Commissioner General Vilma Reyes, head of the National Traffic Directorate, stated in June 2026 that the 50 km/h speed limit, established on June 18, 2025, allowed for a 4% reduction in deaths from accidents reported in 2024. According to Reyes, before the application of that measure, speeding was linked to 21% of deaths in traffic accidents. The official maintained that this proportion dropped to 12%. "We have reduced fatalities due to speed by more than 50%," Reyes stated. The commissioner did not specify the total number of deaths or how many victims died in crashes caused by speeding. High speed is among the three main causes of accidents. Improper turns and lane invasion complete the factors mentioned by the authorities. On October 21, Reyes explained that the road emergency plan included education, awareness-raising, operational presence, and economic sanctions. The official noted that coercive measures increased when accidents also increased. "The road emergency plan has three components: education, awareness-raising, which has to do with prevention, and the operational part," said Reyes. The police chief added that the deployment extended throughout the country. The National Traffic Safety Directorate suspended 36,939 driver's licenses during 2026. (Photo: Canal 2)The revenue target from traffic fines rose from 233.2 million córdobas (USD 6.3 million) in 2020 to 433.1 million córdobas (USD 11.7 million) projected for 2026. The projected amount represents an 86% increase. To that forecast would be added 123.8 million córdobas from the road education center. Drivers whose license was suspended must take a course at that office. As of June 2026, revenue from fines reached 269.6 million córdobas, equivalent to USD 7.3 million. The figure corresponds to income recorded during the first half of the year. The dollar equivalents of the 2020 and 2026 targets were calculated using an exchange rate of 1 USD to 36.90298 córdobas, in effect on November 15, 2026, and were rounded to one decimal place in millions. Reyes noted that the last four-month period concentrates a higher number of accidents. For that reason, she announced that the Police would intensify controls using radars, breathalyzers, speed limiters, and the highway division. "September was a higher month," stated the commissioner, comparing that period with September of the previous year. She also indicated that 70% of people killed in traffic accidents die on the highway. Dictator Daniel Ortega ordered the National Police in October 2024 to redouble efforts to reduce road deaths. The message was delivered during the ceremony for the 45th anniversary of the Ministry of the Interior and the National Police. "We must redouble efforts, combining efforts with the community, with young people, so that these deaths from traffic accidents stop occurring," Ortega expressed.