Pinamar's municipality issued a decree imposing million-peso fines, vehicle seizures, and criminal charges for reckless maneuvers with quad bikes and UTVs in La Frontera, following a series of serious accidents. The measure aims to bolster road safety in this busy summer tourist area. It includes active checkpoints and recovery of costs for damages incurred.
Pinamar's municipality has introduced a new penalty regime to regulate the use of recreational vehicles like quad bikes and UTVs in La Frontera, one of the busiest summer tourist spots. Decree No. 0104/2026, signed by Mayor Juan Ibarguren, strengthens Municipal Ordinance 4794/16 and addresses a string of accidents endangering pedestrians, tourists, and residents, including the case of Bastián, an eight-year-old boy in induced coma after a UTV crash.
Penalties include fines from 8,500 to 25,000 municipal modules, equivalent to up to 15 million pesos depending on severity, recidivism, and risk. They target circulation in prohibited areas like beaches, dunes, and private properties, or reckless maneuvers and races. Agents can seize vehicles preventively if they pose a danger, suspend driving licenses, and file criminal charges in serious cases.
Offenders must cover all accident-related costs, such as medical care, transfers, and environmental or material damages. Six active checkpoints operate at access points and roads, checking documentation, breathalyzers, with security support. Allowing minors to use these vehicles without supervision is also penalized.
Local officials stressed: “The measures take effect immediately and aim to protect the integrity of residents and tourists, so Pinamar remains an excellent destination where enjoyment coexists with respect for rules and safety.” The decree is already in force and has been sent to the Deliberative Council for ratification, enforced through the Fines Court.
