Drunk Driving Still The Number One Cause of Fatal Traffic Accidents
Officials at the Policía de Tránsito are scratching their heads at Tico (Costa Rican) drivers who still have not gotten the message that drinking and driving is a deadly combination.

During the month of December, the Policía de Tránsito confiscated 210 vehicles from drivers who insisted on driving under the influence of alcohol. Tránsito officials said yesterday that 29 of the vehicles are still in the impound lot.

The Policía de Tránsito had been out in full force since the beginning of December with patrols and road blocks to curb the problem of drunk driving, as well as excessive speeding, two of the major causes of all fatal traffic accidents.

According to Tránsito records, 8.200 tickets were issued for driving under the influence during 2006. Huanelge Gutiérrez, subdirector of the Policía de Tránsito, explained that 90% of all vehicles confiscated during the year belonged to drunk drivers; the rest to offenders of the Ley de Tránsito (traffic laws).

Gutiérrez added that many of the drivers of traffic infractions that could have resulted in vehicle confiscation were only given a ticket so as not to saturate the impound lots that are already at full capacity.

Though the December numbers have not fully been tabulated, Gutiérrez estimated that the total number of tickets for the month could reach 37.000. In first place is always the drunk drivers, Gutiérrez emphasized, followed by speeding.

"The metropolitan area (San José) is where the highest number of drunk drivers and is the area with the most coverage. That is not to say that in the rest of the country people don't drink and drive", said the Tránsito official.

The current maximum fine for driving under the influence of alcohol is ¢26.000 colones (us$51.48), while a ¢13.000 colones fine is for those just below the "drunk" limit, but with excessive blood alcohol content.

Speeding brings also brings a maximum fine of ¢26.000 colones (us$51.48), irrespective of the amount over the limit.

Drivers who are found intoxicated while behind the wheel or are found speeding can also lose their license for six months on the first offence.

The ministra de Obras Públicas y Transportes, Karla Gonzalez, last year tabled a reform to the Ley de Tránsito that would increase the fines to a maximum of ¢280.000 colones (us$543.) for drinking and driving and would suspend licenses for longer periods, including a revocation, for continued offences. The proposal would also introduce a "demerit" point system to penalize drivers. The reform is still in the legislative process and could be some time before it is adopted.

For its part, the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS), rewards drivers without claims by offering discounts on their voluntary insurance policies. However, it has yet to tie in the discount to violations, especially drunk driving, which in effect a drunk driver without an accident claim can get a break on their voluntary insurance policy.