Few Trailers Ever Get
Inspected, Riteve Says
in Report For 2006
The Registro Nacional de
Propriedad (national
property registry) has
9.682 registered
trailers and
semi-trailers, however,
only 170 made it to the
Riteve annual inspection
stations.
That is the information
released by Riteve for
the year 2006, a subject
that has many worried
given the number of
fatal traffic accidents
involving tractor
trailers.
Fernando Mayorga,
Riteve's general
manager, says that
education is the best
way the company can
reduce the numbers.
Having said that,
Mayorga added that the
lack of controls on the
roads verifying if
trailers have submitted
to inspection is a
problem.
Another problem adding
to the concern is that
in Costa Rica vehicles
with plates from other
countries can circulate
without having met the
requirements set out in
the country.
"We don't know if the
tail lights work or not,
it they have barriers to
avoid small vehicles
incrust underneath
them", asked Mayorga.
Of course, the problem
with bad brakes is a
major issue. The Riteve
report indicates that
two out of every 10
trailers have serious
braking problems.
Emissions problems
continues to be the
number one reason for
rejection.
Riteve says that 38% of
heavy trucks and those
that transport dangerous
material have brake
problems, as well as
26.25% of light trucks,
19.92% of public
transport vehicles and
18.5% of the taxis.
The vice-minister of
Transportes, Viviana
Martín, recognizes the
worrying problem, adding
that trailers and
semi-trailers should be
inspected separately of
their tractor.
Mayorga said that Riteve
is working with the
Cámaras de
Transportistas - trucker
associations - on the
subject, as more and
more heavy vehicles are
involved in traffic
accidents daily.
For their part, Tránsito
officials (traffic
police) issue only 150
tickets a month to
trucks with trailers
that do not count with
the Riteve inspection.
Authorities are looking
into doubling their
efforts with respect to
these types of heavy
vehicles.
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