Friday 10 October 2008, San José, Costa
Rica
77 Motorcycle
Deaths So Far This Year, Up From Last
Year
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77 Motorcycle Deaths So
Far This Year, Up From
Last Year
Speeding and failure to
were a helmet is the
main cause of 77 deaths
of motorcyclists this
year to September 30.
The number is higher
than the 71 deaths
occurred during 2007,
according to figures
released by the Consejo
de Seguridad Vial.
Notwistanding the mortal
increase, motorcyclists
continue to dare death
by speeding and weaving
in and out of traffic,
including the highways,
and refusing to wear the
safety helmet.
In addition the Consejo
de Seguridad Vial
estimates that for every
death there are between
20 and 50 injured in
accidents involving
motorcycles.
The rise in motorcycle
accidents and deaths is
caused by a sharp
increase in sales of the
two wheeled vehicles due
to the rise in gasoline
prices.
The other concern of the
Consejo de Seguridad
Vial is the ridiculous
low fine of ˘2.000
colones (us$3.64) that
is the maximum fine that
can be applied to a
motorcyclist or
passenger for not
wearing a helmet.
If and when the reforms
to the Ley de Tránsito,
the fine would increase
to ˘225.000 colones
(us$409), a definite
deterrent to not wearing
a helmet, transit
officials believe.
However, that is the
paradox. Transit
officials want to see
higher fines as
stipulated in the
Tránsito reforms, a
point which has caused
legislators to stall
passing for almost two
years, while deaths
accumulate.
According to the
Asociación de
Importadores de
Motocicletas y Afines (AIMA),
by the end of this year
some 55.000 motorcycles
and scooters will have
been sold.
The increase in sales
has also seen an
increase in the number
of licenses* issued to
motorcyclists, which is
a separate license from
that for driving and
automobile, truck or
bus. In effect, for
those who drive both a
motorcycle and four
wheeled vehicle, they
must carry to separate
licenses.
One fact is clear, many
Costa Ricans have and
will continue to opt for
the cheaper method of
transportation to combat
high gasoline prices and
for the AIMA it is
important to motivate
motorcyclists, new and
old, to use a helmet and
drive safely.
According to AIMA
estimates, the use of a
helmet reduces the risk
and severity of injuries
by 72% and deaths by
39%.
The AIMA says it is
working with vendors of
motorcycles to provide
future drivers with
instructions on the
proper and safe use of
their motorcycle and to
wear a helmet. For
Tránsport officials,
they will continue their
media campaign to remind
motorcyclists the need
for safety and will be
increasing "operatives
preventivos" (preventive
spot checks) to ensure
that a helmet is used.
* A license is not
required to operate a
motorcycle of scooter
which has a motor
registered at less than
100cc |
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Motorcyclists weaving in and out of traffic in the city
and highways is a common occurrence. Archive foto. |
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