Traffic Police Will Keep An Eye Vacationers
Heading for the beaches the next couple of weeks? The Policía de Tránsito says it will keep a close eye on traffic and drivers on the major routes to and from the beach areas and resorts.

The weeks before return to school in February is a traditional time for many Costa Ricans to enjoy their summer vacation at the beach, mountains and town fairs like Palmares that ended this week and Puntarenas that begins shortly.

Juan Manuel Delgago, director of Tránsito, his officials will be out on all seven major routes and will use a zero tolerance policy on drinking and driving, speeding and careless driving. Speeding and alcohol are the two major reasons for most of the traffic fatalities, followed by illegal or imprudent passing.

The routes that will have a permanent police watch are:
- Manolos - Rio Lagarto
- Eparza - Orotina
- Rio Lagarto - Liberira y Puente La Amistad
- Orotina - Quepos
- La Republica - Rio Frio
- Rio Frio - Moin
- Cartago - Alto de la Georgina
- La Georgina - Paso Canoas

Tránsito is working hard to reduce traffic accidents and deaths and will be out in full force during the coming weeks to obtain that objective. Beaches like Jacó and Puntarenas are two of the most popular, being the closest to San José and the traffic on the routes to and from those beaches can be heavy at times, especially the return home, as most wait until the last possible minute.

This year, the return traffic may be less congested as many Ticos will make it home some days earlier of the end of the vacation to return to vote for the presidential elections, which is on Feburary 5, a couple of days before return to school.

Director Delgado added that his officers will be on the side of the road with radar detectors and breathalyzers. An  blood alcohol level from a breath sample of 0.05 to 0.099 is not considered impaired, but will be warned by his officers. A level of 0.1 is impairment under the law and the vehicle will be confiscated and driver license suspended for six months.