High Death Rate From Traffic Accidents Has Officials Worried
Last weekend was perhaps the bloodiest weekend as far as traffic accidents, when 15 people died on the streets across the nation. This long weekend, the Policía de Tránsito has not provided any numbers yet, but it is expected to be up there, as the mix of speeding and drinking and driving continues to accumulate fatalities.

So far this year there have been 242 deaths on the roads, or on average 24 deaths per month, which if the trend continues, will surpass the 278 deaths for 2005, according to figures released by the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi).

The numbers are alarming.

According to Cosevi statistics, pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable, leaving behind 65 pedestrian and 22 cycling fatalities this year. The hours with the most fatal traffic accidents are between 6:00pm and midnight when 50% of the cyclist deaths occurred and in the mainly in the areas of Puntarenas, Limón and Heredia.

Unlike in San José, in the those provinces the bicycle is a common method of transportation and the Cosevi says that carelessness on the part of the cyclists is the major cause of accidents and deaths in those provinces, especially at night when most cyclists don't use reflectors of their bicycles nor do they wear light or reflective clothing.

In Robles de Puntarenas, the major thoroughfare that connects the Pacifica port town of Puntarenas to the Interamericana highway, on any night cyclists move about in the dark without taking precaution to become visible to the high traffic volume on the main road.

Due to the high number of deaths, the Cosevi and the Policía de Tránsito are looking at plans to educate pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. The campaign will be called "Hagase notar" (be visible).

In addition, yesterday the Policía de Tránsito closed off Paseo Colon from 8am to 3pm to vehicular traffic. Only pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles are allowed on Paseo Colon, in an effort to promote their campaign.

The 3M company was on hand to distribute reflective tape to pedestrians and cyclists that should be used at night in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from traffic accidents.

The following are the number of deaths due to traffic accidents as recorded by Cosevi:

2004 414
2001 438
2002 399
2003 363
2004 321
2005 278
2006 242