Executive decree should end traffic jams caused by minor accidents

August 12^th, 2015 (ICR News) An executive decree signed on Tuesday should end traffic jams caused by minor traffic accidents.

The decree, which will take effect in mid-January of 2016, allows motorists involved in minor traffic collisions to move their vehicles out of the way of traffic and exchange insurance information between the drivers, who can then be on their way without the need for traffic police to respond to the scene.

The decree only applies when there are no persons injured and both drivers have valid insurance and registration (marchamo).

The existing traffic law actually allowed this to take place, but most insurers, including INS, would refuse to cover claims without a traffic officer responding and documenting the scene before the vehicles were moved.

The decree forces all insurance companies to cover claims through the use of a form submitted by the drivers involved called a Declaratoria de Accidente Menor (Declaration of Minor Accident / DAM).

In the case of disagreement as to the responsible party, motorists can request a hearing in traffic court, where both witnesses and evidence such as video or photos can be presented.

Traffic police report an average of 4,400 accidents per month in San Jose alone.