Statistics Show A
Decline In Deaths On The
Road
Transit authorities are
breathing a little
relief, taking in the
victory of the battle of
the roads, as the
numbers for the first
quarter of the year,
where 33 less deaths
were reported from the
same period last year.
In addition, the
Ministerio de Obras
Públicas y Transportes (MOPT)
reports that in April
there were 28 deaths "on
site", four less that in
April 2007, and six less
than in 2006. In fact,
April 2008 recorded the
lowest number of deaths
of the last 10 Aprils.
Transito authorities say
that stricter police
presence and controls on
the roads that included
spot checks and "operativos"
against drunk and
speeding drivers
contributed to the lower
numbers.
Karla González, MOPT
minister, added that the
first quarter of the
year is the most
critical as this is the
time of "festivals" like
the Zapote in San José,
the Palmares and
Puntarenas festivals,
family vacation time and
Semana Santa (Easter
Week).
"With one life we save
it is worth all the
efforts of the MOPT",
said the minister.
Germán Marín, director
of the Policía de
Tránsito (traffic
police) added that
controls on the major
routes of José-Limón,
San José-San Ramón and
San José-Pérez Zeledón,
among others, in
addition to being
stricter on drunk
drivers, drivers using a
cellular phone, not
wearing seat belts and
speeders they have
obtained the desired
results.
"We not singing victory,
this is the first stage.
We need much more", said
Marín, who added that
his officials are still
handing out between 775
and 840 tickets a month
for drunk driving. |
