22 Traffic Deaths in 14 Days!
The roads continue to cover lives as 22 people have died in traffic accidents in the first 14 days of this year, nine more than the same period last year.

Huanelge Gutiérrez, subdirector of the Policía de Tránsito, is calling the situation quite delicate, following a number of years of decline after the highs of 1998 and 2000 when 54 traffic deaths were registered in the first month of those years.

Gutiérrez is worried because the trend seems to be on the rise, blaming the cause of most deaths to abuse of alcohol and speeding as the top two causes, followed by carelessness.

The two major routes with the most number of deaths to traffic accidents are the Route 32 (San José - Limón) and the Interamericana norte (San José - Guanacaste).

Gutiérrez said that he hopes the approval of the 300 new Tránsito officers will occur quickly, which allow the traffic police to better patrol the two highways on a 24 hour basis, which is not the case now.

Also, a proposal to stiffen traffic fines, especially for drinking and driving and speeding, and propose a demerit system that will include the suspension of drivers license, including permanently for repeat offenders, is before the Legislative Assembly waiting for debate and approval.