Mayor Luis Munguía has pledged increased oversight of RZR off-road vehicles in Puerto Vallarta following a serious accident involving a young pedestrian. The city will now monitor RZR convoys with police patrols to prevent further incidents.
RZR-type recreational vehicles have become a growing concern due to their frequent presence on city streets and the accidents they have caused. Residents have called for stricter regulations, demanding that authorities take action to improve safety.
The most recent incident occurred late Sunday night on Highway 544 in Camichín, Ixtapa. According to Civil Protection and Firefighters, ambulance B-101 responded to a call at 11:48 p.m. and found 23-year-old Juan Carlos Reyna Hernández injured after being struck by a vehicle.
Reyna, who was walking home from work, told authorities he was hit by a car. His family has since called for stricter regulations, arguing that Razers must be controlled to prevent more tragedies. His mother took to social media, stating, “These vehicles need to be regulated so they don’t drive recklessly, causing harm to others.”
In response, Mayor Munguía visited the victim at Hospital 42 of the Mexican Social Security Institute and pledged action.
“I spoke with the young man and his family, and it’s clear that new regulations are needed for these vehicles, which operate under different conditions than standard cars in the city. Regardless of how the new rules are structured, I will ensure that whenever these vehicles participate in an event, there is at least one patrol in front and one in back to monitor them. We must prevent this from happening again,” the mayor stated.
Concerns over RZR vehicles are not new. In 2022, Jalisco Congresswoman Yussara Canales González proposed legislation requiring license plates, valid insurance, a driver’s license, and noise limits for these off-road vehicles. However, the initiative was rejected, with legislators arguing that the state’s existing Mobility Law already covered these issues.
Mayor Munguía reaffirmed his commitment to the latest victim and his family.
“The young man is receiving treatment at Clinic 42 for fractures and internal injuries. We are ensuring that he gets the medical care he needs. I have also assured his family that they have the full support of this municipal government for anything they require.”
As Puerto Vallarta grapples with the risks posed by RZR vehicles, residents and authorities alike will be watching closely to see if patrol escorts help prevent further tragedies.