Three Strikes
Traffic Law Around The Corner
The month of September is known in Costa
Rica for its heavy downpours. This year,
however, the introduction of the new Ley de
Tránsito will change the lives and habits of
Costa Rican drivers in a major way, as the
full effect of the law introduces a point
system and heavy fines.
The full effect of the new Ley de Tránsito
will be on September 23, when driving habits
like talking on a cellular phone while
driving, not wearing a seatbelt and having
too many people in the vehicle, can mean a
fine of ˘431.000 colones (us$746 dollars)
and 50 points, which also invokes an
automatic suspension of a drivers license
for two years.
The current maximum fine for the foregoing
infractions is ˘20.000 colones (us$34) each,
but typically a Tránsito (traffic official)
will only write up one ticket and "thank
your for using our roads".
The new Ley de Tránsito point system means
that all drivers on September 23 will start
off with 50 points. The three foregoing
infractions add to a 50 point loss - 20
points for cell phone, 20 for seatbelt and
10 for overcrowding.
The driving under the influence of alcohol
(0.75 or greater blood alcohol reading) or
reckless driving (driving at speeds of 150
kph or greater) provisions are already in
place, where Tránsitos take the driver
immediately to the local jail cell, where a
criminal court judge then establishes a
trial date.
But, for now, the driver can get behind the
wheel immediately after release from jail.
However, on September 23, when the point
system kicks in, the driver will also his or
her license. And then will restart with only
30 points points instead of 50.
A second loss of a license means an
automatic suspension for four years, a third
loss the suspension is for 10 years and
after than, an automatic lifetime ban.
The new law is aimed at curbing the
increasing number of fatal and near fatal
accidents that are a daily common on Costa
Rican roads, mostly due to driver's lack of
respect for the law and choosing to pay the
fine, if caught, rather than wear the
lifesaving seatbelt.
There are reforms to the legislation before
it takes effect. However, the ministra de
Transportes, Karla González, assures that
neither the point system nor the high fines
will be affected.
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