Legislators Assure Quick Passage of New Ley
de Tránsito Amendments
Costa Rica's legislators agreed on fast
tracking the amendments to the new Ley de
Tránsito that is to take effect on September
23. The application of article 208bis last
night limits the number of motions, sessions
and words by legislators to get quickly to
the voting.
The new traffic law was passed last December
and aside from the drunk driving and
reckless driving provisions, the full effect
of the law, including the new fines, take
effect in less than 20 days.
The law in its current state is flawed in
many areas, including the technicality of
number of clauses that could cause it to be
struck down by the Constitutional Court with
the first appeal by citizens.
Legislator Andrea Morales made the motion on
Wednesday to fast track the amendments.
And although the majority of legislators
have assured to approve the amendments
quickly, one legislators, Mario Mario Quirós
of the Movimiento Libertario, objects to
fast tracking a "bad law", a law that his
fellow legislators want to approve with its
flaws and all.
Some of the problems with the law are the
introduction of high fines, fines that
according to Movimiento Libertatio party
legislator, Luis Antonio Barrantes, are not
realistic for the country.
Barrantes said he agrees for harsh sanctions
against drunk and reckless drivers and
drivers who particiapte in "piques" (street
racing), but more realistic for the rest of
the sanctions.
Jorge Méndez, Liberación Nacional party
whip, assures that the amendments will be
ready for voting by September 13.
Méndez added that the process of reform has
become and "endless ordeal", a situation
caused by a few legislators to object to a
couple of articles and stall an important
matter for the country.
Méndez assures that his party - the ruling
party - will do the impossible to get the
amendments voted on.
"The people have to know that if the new
traffic law does not go into effect on
September 23, the country will be with
noting as the old was repealed by the
legislature", said Méndez.
The legislator's comments refer to the fact
that the new Ley de Tránsito was approved
last December and what is being discussed
now are reforms and September 23, the
current traffic law no longer will exist.
"Yes, we have made mistakes", said Arguedas,
who blames the Liberación Nacional party for
the mess, since it is them who have not
brought forward any solutions to the problem
and is now asking for support to make the
corrections and to act responsibly.
Altough legislators continue with their
politicking, the minsitra de Obras Públicas
y Transportes (MOPT), Karla González,
assures that her officials and the Policía
de Tránsito will be ready to enforce the new
law come September 23, with or without the
amendments. |
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