Almost Half Of Trailers
Operating Without
Vehicular Inspection
Regardless of the fog,
cold and rain, family
and friends took par in
the funeral of Eva
Álvarez, one of five who
were tragically killed
Saturday in Aguas Zarcas,
in San Carlos, when a
tractor trailer loaded
with tree trunks lost
control.
Sadly, the tragedy has
revived pressure on
legislators who have
been stalling on passing
the new Ley de Tránsito
(traffic laws), that
according to transport
officials, could have
been prevented with
tough regulations.
The accident occurred
Saturday morning when
the driver of the truck
lost control of his
vehicle after the brakes
failed. The loaded
runaway truck was full
of tree trunks that came
loose from the flatbed
trailer.
The driver told the
media that he had
problems with the
trailer's brakes in
earlier instances and
according to Riteve -
the vehicular inspection
authority - the trailer
finally passed
inspection on the fifth
try, the earlier four
failing for bad brakes.
According to Fernando
Mayorga, general manager
of Riteve, says that
there are at least
10.000 of 27.000
trailers registered,
which has still to pass
inspection as of July
31.
The ministra de Obras
Públicas y Transportes
(MOPT), Karla González,
explained that
traditionally very
little has been done to
regulate these types of
vehicles.
"The law before congress
would establish
responsibility to the
company and the driver.
In addition, we need
more officials. We have
enabled the weigh scales
at Cañas and Guapiles
and will soon have five
more operating", said
González.
For his part, Eddy
Brenes, regional co-ordinator
for the Policía de
Tránsito, added that the
tree trunks would have
not come loose if they
had been properly tied
down.
The burial of the other
four victims of the
accident will take place
today.
The driver of the truck,
24 year old, José
Alberto González, facing
charges of culpable
homicide, was set free
by the Juzgado Penal de
San Carlos, on condition
that he sign in to the
court every 15 days and
not allowed to leave the
country.
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