High Number of Traffic Accident Deaths Worry Officials
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) and the Policía de Tránsito are in agreement that there are too many deaths on the roads due to traffic accidents, many accidents that could be avoided if drivers slowed down and and not drink and drive. What they don't agreee though is the number of deaths registered.

The Policía de Tránsito records 278 traffic fatalities to November 15 of this year, while the OIJ records 549.

The difference is that the OIJ counts all deaths resulting from a traffic accident and not just the fatality at the time of the accident. As is the case many times that a person is taken alive from accident scene and later dies in hospital. The Policía de Tránsito does not include those deaths in its records.

However, no matter whose numbers are correct, the concern that it is too high and drinking and driving and speeding continue to be the two top causes of traffic accidents and fatalities.

Since November 15 the Policía de Tránsito have been on the streets in a proactive campaign, being more visible to drivers as the holiday season quickly approaches. Traditionally, the Policía de Tránsito begins its holiday operatives on December 1.

Nightly spotchecks are common, especially in areas where there is a high concentration of bars, like in San Pedro, Escazú and Heredia, for example. The Policía de Tránsito will rotate traffic blockades to ensure that those who insist on drinking and driving get pulled off the road.

Vice-minister of Transportes minister, Viviana Martín, promised more Policía de Tránsito presence on the roads this year and to be tougher with speeders and drunk drivers.