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Legislators Pressured to Approve
Tránsito Reforms
A total of 141 people have lost
their lives on the roads so far
this year, 29 more than the same
time last year, and there is
still along way to unless the
reforms to the Ley de Tránsito
(traffic laws) are not approved.
According to United Nations
study, worldwide more than
400.000 people between the ages
of 10 and 24 lose their lives on
the roads annually, placing the
cost of medical attention and
damages at us$518 billion
dollars.
And Costa Rica is no different
and the reason behind the push
by traffic officials to have the
reform approved, which could
come as early as next month, by
the legislators.
The new traffic laws will
increase traffic fines from 10
to 20 times the current and give
Tránsito officials greater power
to confiscate vehicles and
suspend licenses of drunk
drivers, even to the point of
cancellation in the event of
repeat offences.
Drinking and driving, speeding
and careless driving are the
main causes of fatal accidents
in Costa Rica. Part of the
problem is process of obtaining
a drivers license, no respect
for the traffic laws and the low
number of Tránsitos on the roads
all contribute to the
fatalities.
Currently, the fine for speeding
is between ˘10.000 and ˘20.000
colones (us$19.25 and 38.50).
Driving under the influence of
alcohol - the legal limit in
Costa Rica is 0.49 - can result
in the same fine and the
temporary confiscation of a
vehicle.
The current laws also prohibit
Tránsito officials for
sanctioning a driver who fails
to remain at the scene of an
accident. In numerous occasions,
drivers have been detained and
kept from leaving the scene of
accident by witnesses.
viviana Martín, vice-minister of
Transportes, has been very vocal
on the issue and is asking
lawmakers to move quickly with
the project that will attempt to
reduce the number of fatal
accidents.
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