Transport Minister
Criticized For Graphic
Campaign To Reduce Road
Accident Deaths
The Ministerio de Obras
Públicas y Transportes
(MOPT) has begun a
campaign to reduce
traffic accidents deaths
whith a new campaign
that compares a tragedy
on the roads to a cold
blooded murder. The
campaign that uses radio
ads and billdboards is
also aimed at pressuring
legislators to pass the
reforms to the Ley de
Tránsito.
In some ads, the
comparison is made
between a driver causing
a fatal accident and a
woman carrying an axe
with intent on
committing murder.
The ministra de Obras
Públicas y Transportes,
Karla González, has been
accused of going too far
with the graphic and
grotesque ads.
González defends her
decision to publicize
the ads by saying "in
the campaing we saying
things clearly,
demonstrating the
reality of Costga Rica,
of what is happening on
our roads is akin to a
crime, of deaths that
can be avoided and we
have to continue working
to that end."
As of the end of
September, according to
statistics of the Cruz
Roja Costarricense
(Costa Rican Red Cross),
234 traffic accident
deaths were recorded.
The campaign was
designed by JBQ and cost
some ¢60 million colones,
according to minister
González.
The minister emphasizes
the need for higher
fines and stiffer
penalties for reckless
and drunk drivers as set
out in the traffic law
reforms which has been
in the hands of
legislators for almost
two years.
"It is urgent to change
the culture of drivers
in the country, with the
goal to reduce deaths",
said minister González.
The law is has been in
the hands of the
Comisión de Asuntos
Jurídicos del Congreso
since February 2007.
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