78 Traffic Deaths in Two Months
The numbers are in and it isn't pretty - 78 deaths in the first two months of the year, all from traffic accidents and speedind, drinking and driving and carelessness of pedestrians the major cause. And March started off with 7 persons dead from traffic accidents over the weekend just passed.

The number is 35% higher than the same period last year when 58 persons lost their lives.

German Marín, director of the Policía de Tránsito, confirmed that 3 out of 10 dead were pedestrians who disrespected traffic signals or who failed to used pedestrian overpasses.

Another 30% of the deaths were a result of drunker drivers or speeding.

According to Marín, careless drivers or drivers who are not aware of road safety has shot up the number of fatal accidents.

Director Marín said that roadside checks, especially for control of drunken drivers will be escalated to counteract the rising death rate.

The vice-minister of Transpor, Viviana Martín, added that the new "Ley de Tránsito" - transit law - that is before the legislators, that includes stiffer fines and sanctions against drinking and driving, will help to reduce the deaths on the streets.