Beware Of Drunk Drivers At Wheel!
Though the Policía de Tránsito (traffic police) have called on all citizens to drive carefully and don't drink and drive and notwithstanding that the full Tránsito force is on duty, numerous simultaneous spotchecks and 24 hours patrols, the highways and bi-ways continue to spill blood.

In the first three day of Semana Santa, four people have lost their lives.

Huanelge Gutiérrez, subdiretor of the Policía de Tránsito, said yesterday that more than 400 tickets have been issues, of which 45 are for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Gutiérrez added that their operations would increase today as the major exodus to the beaches and resorts begins as government employees begin their holidays and most businesses practically shut down until Monday.

Gutiérrez said that their unmarked police patrols will also be increased, with a focus on public transport (buses) that carry vacationers and tractor trailers, who need to obey the rules of the road. Gutiérrez affirmed that drivers should use precaution and respect the rules of the road with police officials on the road or not.
Tránsito

This is the first time that the Policía de Tránsito is implementing the unmarked patrols, having undercover Tránsito officials patrolling in their private vehicles and reporting infractions to uniformed officials ahead, where the driver will be stopped and ticketed.

The Policía de Tránsito is estimating that more than 2 million people will be out on the roads during this week, leaving home for beaches and resorts.

Last year 33 people lost their lives during Semana Santa, in 2005 the number was 30.

Last month was the bloodiest month so far this year with 39 deaths registered, surpassed only by January of 2003 when 47 people lost their lives on the roads.

The death tally for 2007 is 108.

The current fine for drunk driving is ¢20.000 colones (us$38.46) and confiscation, not losing, of the driver's license. The fine for driving without a license is ¢10.000 colones.