New Transit Law Requires A First Aid Kit In
Every Vehicle
With over a little than a month before the
new Ley de Tránsito takes effect,
Transportation officials are scurrying to
make last minute adjustments to the law that
has, according to critics and experts,
inherent flaws that will be challenged and
possibly struck down by the Sala
Constitucional.
Costa Rica, on September 23, is getting
ready to enter a new age of traffic laws
when the full effect of the Ley de Tránsito
increases fines up to 20 or more times the
current, introduces a point system that can
lead to a permanent suspension of a drivers
licenes, a entire set of new traffic
violations and the addition of 400 new
Tránsitos (traffic officials).
However, after years of debate in the
legislature and commissions, the law that
was passed last fall, transportation
officials are trying to patch the potential
holes.
One of those items is the emergency first
aid kit that "must" be included in every
vehicle in circulation.
The new Ley de Tránsito makes carrying a
first aid a requirement and defines that
items that must be contained in the kit,
some which are medications that can,
according to the medical association, can
become dangerous if used beyond their expiry
date and/or kept in high temperatures, like
the inside of a vehicle.
A study has revealed that some of the
medication to be included in the first aid
kit deteriorates if kept in temperatures
above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The internal
temperature of a vehicle in Costa Rica can
reach 122 degrees and beyond.
Not carrying a first aid kit carries with it
a ¢80.000 colones fine.
As such officials of the ministerio de Obras
Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) have reacted
to the warning and are attempting to modify
the law before it takes effect.
Another complaint lodged to transport
officials is the "business" of the first aid
kit, as retailers take advantage of the
situation, similar to the requirement of
child car and booster seats that are
required for use by any child 12 years of
age and under.
The first aid kit is available at local
retailers, as well as the Cruz Roja which
sells it for ¢9.800 colones.
Transportation officials say that drivers
can assemble their own first aid kit and
provides a list of the items to be contained
in each kit.
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