Reforms To the Ley de
Tránsito Is Generating
Controversy
The reforms to the Ley
de Tránsito has yet to
receive final approval
and has already begun to
generate controversy in
the country. Many are
for it, however, an
equal number are
against. The major
change in the new Ley de
Tránsito is the fines
and sanctions for poor
driving.
The Ley de Tránsito
reforms attacks the core
of the problem faced on
Costa Rica's roads -
total disrespect for the
laws, other drivers,
property and
pedestrians.
Not stopping a stop
sign, not waiting for a
red light, illegal left
turns, u-turns, no
turns, not wearing a
seat belt, talking on a
cellular phone, blocking
an intersection, and so
on, are all common daily
occurrences on the
streets.
The signs at the toll
booths say it all,
"Costa Rica is a country
of peace, but is living
a war on its roads".
The Ley de Tránsito
reforms multiply traffic
fines up to 20 times or
more. A simple ¢10.000
colones fine can cost up
to ¢227.000 colones.
For those who insist on
talking on cellular
phone while driving,
instead of using a
"hands free", the
current fine of ¢20.000
colones will jump to
¢165.000.
In addition to the
higher fines, all
drivers will start off
with 50 points on their
license and, depending
on the infraction, will
be given demerit points
that will end up in a
license suspension.
Also, drunk and reckless
drivers who cause death
resulting from a traffic
accidents can see
themselves behind bars
under the new reforms.
The inistra de Obras
Públicas y Transportes,
Karla González, defends
her action. It has been
González that has
promoted the bill from
the first days of taking
office in 2006 and has
been fighting for
passage since.
Legislators earlier this
week voted in favour of
the bill in first
reading. Second reading
and passage into law is
expected to occur today
or early next week at
best, then only
requiring the signature
of the president and
published in the
official government
publication, La Gaceta,
for it be enacted.
However, there are
legislators who are
against the bill, not
necessarily for the
tougher sanctions, but
rather, for their
disproportionate
applications. The
criticism is in part
generating the
controversy among the
population.
One of the legislators
is Luis Barrantes, who
believes that the higher
fines and santions will
foment corruption, as
drivers to avoid the
high fines and points,
will be more prone to
offer an official of the
Policía de Tránsito a
bribe. Barrantes
believes that officials
will also take the
initiative to give
drivers the choice.
Barrantes, a member of
the Movimiento
Libertario party
believes that a ¢300.000
fine for leaving on the
interior lights of a
vehilce while driving or
a motorcyclist not
wearing a helmet is
excessive. He
exaggerates to make his
point that the fines are
too high in some cases.
Transportes officials,
however, argue that the
high fines will reduce
deaths on the roads by
reducing traffic
accidents and fostering
better behaviour behind
the wheel.
The reforms to the Ley
de Tránsito also allows
Transportes authorities
to add 400 new traffic
officers to a force that
is understaffed.
Currenlty there are only
800 Policía de Tránsito
officials for the entire
country. In some
communities the closest
Tránsito detachment is
more than an hour away
and manned by a minimal
staff, which in turn
means long waits for a
response to an emergency
and little or no patrols
in some areas.
Transportes officials
say that the approved
reforms will take about
nine months before they
can be enforced. The
time is necessary to
prepare the regulations,
inform the public on the
new rules and to open an
office to handle
complaints from the
public against abuses by
traffic officials.
Minister González
recognizes that even
though the reforms are
to hit hard on reckless
drivers, it is not
perfect. |
