New Progressive Party Senator Roxanna Soto Aguilú has filed Senate Bill 1445, proposing administrative fines of up to $2,500 and a 90-day automatic driver's license suspension for drivers who intentionally obstruct traffic. The bill was introduced in response to an August 31 demonstration on the PR-52 highway that blocked two regular lanes and one reversible lane between Caguas and San Juan for several hours, organized by the collective "Jornada Se Acabaron las Promesas" to mark the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Fiscal Oversight Board (Junta de Supervisión Fiscal).
Under the proposal, the $2,500 fine and license suspension would apply in aggravated cases where intentional blocking delays an ambulance, fire truck, or police patrol responding to an emergency; when first responders are not affected, the fine would be $1,000. The bill requires police to demonstrate "specific intent" to block roadways before issuing a ticket, clarifying that mere presence in traffic congestion, driving slowly, or participating in permitted caravans or protests would not be sufficient evidence for sanctions.
Soto Aguilú criticized invoking press or expression freedoms to justify violating other drivers' rights.