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Drunk Drivers Should Be
Committed To Social Work
Concerned about the high
incidence of traffic accidents -
some fatal - caused by drunk
drivers, legislator, Bienvenido
Venegas, of the Partido Unidad
Social Cristiana (PUSC), has
proposed a discussion on the
reform of the traffic laws that
would stiffen the penalties for
those driving under the
influence of alcohol.
The proposal would also stiffen
penalties for speeding and
reckless driving and driving
without a license.
Venegas believes that this is an
urgent issue facing the nation
as more and more people die or
are injured in traffic accidents
caused by drunk drivers. "Those
who drive under the influence
should be considered assassins
and we must use drastic measures
to punish them", said the
legislator.
One of the changes suggested by
the legislator is that in
addition to a stiff fine of
¢260.000 from the traditional
¢20.000 colones that is applied
toady, offenders should be
ordered to doing social work.
And if the first offender
decides to drink and drive
again, their license should be
suspended for a period of five
years.
Venegas is also proposing that a
drunk driver involved in a
traffic accidents that results
in bodily injury or death should
bot be allowed to be free on
bail while the accident is being
investigated.
The PUSC legislator wants also
for the law to be tough on those
who offering a public service,
like bus and taxi drivers, who
mistreat their customers.
Venegas is proposing that a
¢30.000 colones fine. In
addition, public transport
drivers should be fined if they
overload their vehicles, too
many passengers than what is
legally permitted, as the case
with some bus operators, who
fill the bus to the brim during
peak hours.
The legislator also wants to see
40% of the fines collected go
towards purchases of transit
police vehicles and equipment.
Currently some 30% of the police
vehicles are damaged and cannot
circulate, hampering traffic
police efforts.
The proposal Venegas is similar
to a proposal that the
Ministerio de Obras Pública y
Transporte (MOPT) is working on
as announced by MOPT minister,
Karla González, a couple of
weeks back. The MOPT has
proposed stiffer fines for all
types of traffic violations,
but, according to minister
González, a number of other
reforms have to take place to
avoid increased police
corruption.
The Venegas proposal, though
similar, focuses mainly only
drunk drivers.
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