Disconnection between presidential message and transportation crisis causes citizen frustration.

The recent presidential message delivered on July 28 has sparked a series of reactions in public opinion, ranging from fervent criticism to absolute indifference. One aspect that has drawn attention is the absence of a clear focus on specific issues affecting citizens, particularly regarding the traffic and transportation crisis plaguing the country. While some political sectors defended the content of the speech, many citizens and observers expected the president to address such a critical problem that has left a tragic mark on thousands of lives in detail. Dissatisfaction with the message became evident almost immediately. During the address, reports emerged of attendees dozing off in the chamber and others leaving before it concluded. For many, it was not just the length of the speech that provoked this disinterest, but the lack of substance and real proposals. The disconnect between the content of the message and the real concerns of the population became a topic of debate on social media and in the press. A particularly alarming aspect that was not addressed was the severe situation of road accidents in Peru. In the last five years, more than 15,000 people have lost their lives due to traffic accidents, and another 270,000 have suffered injuries, many of which have left permanent consequences. These figures, which highlight the urgency for effective governmental action, were completely ignored, generating a sense of frustration among citizens who expected answers and solutions. The inefficiency of the transportation system in the country is another point worth highlighting. In the capital, Lima, there are no transportation terminals that meet basic standards of care and safety. Instead of modern terminals that organize the flow of passengers and goods, what is observed are makeshift stops that lack effective regulation, exposing users to multiple risks. It is a scenario that cries out for intervention that has not arrived in the last 25 years. Existing legislation, such as Law No. 27181 regulating land transportation, seems to have fallen into oblivion. Although this law establishes the state's commitment to promote private initiative and the construction of terminals, time has passed without these promises materializing. The consequences of this neglect translate into chaotic and dangerous public transport, where safety conditions and fair competition are more of an aspiration than a reality. The problem worsens in urban transport, where the lack of a clear state policy has led to the current crisis. Although attempts were made in previous years to implement mass transportation systems like the Metropolitano, progress has been limited and disjointed. The creation of the Urban Transport Authority in 2018 has not succeeded in unifying efforts or establishing a coherent vision that benefits the population. The need for an Integrated Transport System is becoming increasingly urgent. The proposal to acquire electric buses to modernize public transport and the implementation of an app to manage this system are necessary steps. However, this will only be possible if the state takes an active role and commits to investing in infrastructure and training. If it does not, transportation will continue to be a critical issue in the daily lives of millions of Peruvians. As if that weren't enough, the chaos in transportation extends to other areas, such as taxi and mototaxi services, the issuance of driver's licenses, and the regulation of health centers that issue these documents. The lack of controls and regulations has led to a state of anarchy that endangers citizens' lives. And amid all this, a troubling question arises: how much is the life of the thousands of people who have died on the streets and roads of the country really worth? With a promised investment in road infrastructure exceeding US$3.8 billion, it is essential that the government does not limit itself to figures but also acts with a sense of urgency and responsibility to effectively address these problems. It is time for political leadership to recognize the seriousness of the transportation crisis and commit to offering real solutions that protect the lives and safety of the population. The lack of action only perpetuates a cycle of pain and loss that has already claimed too many lives. Citizens expect answers, and it is the state's responsibility not to disappoint those expectations.