Heavy Traffic Controls
This Weekend
Vacationers heading out
of San José for the
beaches and resorts
found heavy traffic
controls beginning last
night as the Policía de
Tránsito aims to make
this mid year vacation a
safe one.
The controls include
spot checks on all major
highways where Tránsito
officials will be
checking for drunk
drivers and stopping
those who refuse to
buckle up.
Heavy Tránsito patrols
will be out in full
force for the first days
of the start of
vacation, controlling
speeding and erratic
driving and will resume
the last days of the
vacation for the return
home on July 15th.
Late last night,
immediately west of
peaje (toll booths) near
the Juan Santamaría (San
José) airport, in front
of the La Sabana park
and the ramp from Ezcazú
to San José were three
major points of activity
by Tránsito, where more
than a dozen officials
at each location and a
complete block of the
highway ensured that
every driver through
each point was checked.
Last year, 13 people
died in traffic
accidents during the mid
year vacation, nine of
which died in collision,
three were hit by a
vehicle and one losing
control of their vehicle
and ending up in a
ditch, according to
Ministerio de Obras
Públicas y Transportes (MOPT)
statistics.
"We are making a call
for responsibility by
all parents and youths
not to drink and drive.
Our officials will be on
the lookout because we
cannot allow that in our
culture the belief that
drinking and driving is
normal", said Karla
González, minister of
Transportes.
The minister says that
as many as 350.000
people are estimated to
leave San José this week
and though the Tránsito
police will be out in
full force on the
highways leading to the
beaches and resorts,
they will not neglect
the urban centres.
In total, minister
González said, 770
Tránsito officers will
be on the job 24 hours
with 120 patrol cars,
150 motorcycles, 25 tow
trucks, 50 radar units
and 80 breathalyzers.
The heavy traffic days
expected are July 1, 8
and 15.
Some recommendations for
a safe holiday:
1. No alcohol. If you
drink, don't drive.
2. Don't stress out.
There will be a of
traffic this weekend,
arm yourself with lots
of patience.
3. Don't speed. Keep you
speed to the limit and
road conditions. Getting
there a few minutes
earlier is not worth the
risk to your life and
the life of others.
4. Sleep well. Get a
good night sleep before
heading out on a long
trip.
5. Check your vehicle.
Before heading out make
sure your vehicle is
mechanically fit, check
your tire pressure, oil
levels, brakes and
emergency kit.
6. Plan your route.
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