Motorists who find themselves in difficulties on 134 federal highways can take advantage of a new app to get them out of trouble or report crimes. The only requirement to use the PF Movil app is to have a cellphone with an Android or Windows platform, or an iPhone.
The app includes a real-time “help button” that connects instantly to the Centro de Atencion del Comisionado Nacional de Seguridad (National Security Commission Attention Center).
Users of the app can send a video, photograph or email to the center, anonymously if they wish.
The app will allow federal agents to be dispatched “immediately” to any location in certain emergencies, said Eduardo Sanchez Hernandez, spokesperson for President Enrique Peña Nieto’s security cabinet.
According to Sanchez, both accidents and crimes on the nation’s federal highways have diminished since a new security program (Programa de Cuadrantes Carreteros) was implemented four months ago.
The number of people injured on federal highways has dropped by 20 percent in this period, Sanchez said. Accidents are also down by eight percent, and crimes down by 18 percent compared with 2012.
The program requires 2,500 federal police offers to be on duty at all times and uses 17 helicopters and 575 radio patrol cars across the country.