OIJ Declares War On
Corrupt Tránsitos
Judicial investigators
say they have their eyes
on corrupt Tránsitp
(traffic) officials,
forming a special unit
of the Organismo de
Investigación Judicial (OIJ)
to put a stop to the
irregularities of
traffic cops and are
asking Costa Ricans to
file complaints.
OIJ officials fear that
with the approval of the
new Ley de Tránsito
(traffic laws) that
includes stiffer
penalties and fines for
traffic violations, so
will the amount of
corruption.
Judicial officials are
concerned mainly for the
violations committed by
operators of public
trasnport vehicles,
buses and taxis and the
possibility that some
Tránsitos will close an
eye to the violation in
exchange for a bribe.
The concern is
heightened by the lack
of will by many drivers
to denounce corruption.
The new Ley de Tránsito
which is before
legislators for almost
two years proposes to
increase traffic fines
up to 20 times the
current fines and gives
Tránsitos the authority
to confiscate vehicles
and licenses in cases of
drunk and reckless
driving.
A current fine of
˘10.000 colones would
pass to ˘200.000 colones
in some cases and that,
according to Judicial
officials, would be
enough reason for
drivers to offer or for
corrupt Tránsito
officials close a blind
eye to the violation in
exchange for a bribe.
The new Ley de Tránsito
also includes a
provision to speed up
the termination of a
corrupt Tránsito
official to a process
taking several months
rather than the two
years or more it takes
now.
Complaints can be make
to the OIJ by telephone
to their toll free line
800-8000-OIJ or by visit
to the central or any
regional OIJ office.
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