Ley De Tránsito Reduces
Number Of Alcohol Related Fatal Accidents
The new Ley de Tránsito has reduced the number of traffic deaths
resulting from drunk drivers, though it still is far from reducing
the overall number of traffic deaths. So far this year, 30 people
have died on the country's roads.
The new Ley de Tránsito was approved by legislators and went into
force on December 23, 2008. However, only the drunk and reckless
driving provisions are in force, as the rest of the rules and higher
fines go into effect in September.
Of the 30 deaths, more than 1 a day, heading the list of causes, 9
were of pedestrians being hit and/or run over by a vehicle, speeding
added 8 more fatalities, 5 deaths from unlawful passing and only 3
from alcohol related. The rest from general traffic accidents.
Tránsito authorities are pleased with the drop in the alcohol
related deaths, but are still concerned about the high number of
fatalities on the roads and despite their stepped activities that
has resulted in a curb in drinking and driving, the fatality rate is
still high.
Tránsito authorities believe that once the new Ley de Tránsito is
full effect, where fines are upt to 20 or more times higher than the
current, a point system to deter bad driving and jail sentences
where alcohol and fatalities are involved, will curb the high
mortality rate.
However, many feel that the new Ley de Tránsito and its high fines
and strict regulations will go by the wayside, as the first trial of
a drunk driver was suspended last week, the trial judge deciding to
confer with the Sala Constitucional (Constitutional Court) on a
number of points in the legislation.
Many Costa Ricans feel that, like in many cases where the Sala
Constitucional is asked to intervene, will strike down many of the
tougher sanctions, especially the high fines that are out of reach
by the average person, and things will go back to the way things
always were.
However, Tránsito officials see it different. German Marin, director
of the Policia de Tránsito was adamant last week that there will be
no let up of enforcement of the drunk driving provisions that sees
drunk drivers go straight to jail and the increased number of police
spot checks.
Evident of this conviction is the Tránsito police operation in an
around Palmares, as festival goers can see the increased police
presence to and from Palmares, especially at the Naranjo pay toll
station, where after 10pm, every vehicle is being stopped by
Tránsito officials.
Tránsito officials are hopeful that the new Ley de Tránsito will
bring home the message to pedestrians and speedsters, as it has
already done for drunk drivers, to be respect the rules of the road
or face tough sanctions. |
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