New Traffic Law Takes
Effect On March 1 Irrespective Of
Legislators Disaccord On Fines
The heavy fines and points system of the new
Ley de Tránsito approved in November 2008 or
the fines being currently discussed by
legislators, will take effect on March 1,
2010.
The law was passed in November 2008.
However, only the drunk driving provisions
went into effect on December 23, 2008, with
the balance of the regulations going into
force on September 23, 2009.
Legislators decided to postpone the
effective day of the law to March 1, 2010,
to discuss some of the concerns on the high
level of the fines.
Although the fines could be lowered from
those already established in the
legislation, one thing is for sure, the law
will take effect on March 1 and for now
there is no indication that there will be
another postponement.
For the implementation of the lower fines,
legislators have to have an approval by next
week, allowing time for the changes to be
published in the La Gaceta before March 1.
However, so far there is no consensus on
anything in the legislature.
The current fines were established in 1993,
the last time the traffic law was reformed.
In those days, the maximum fine of ¢20.000
colones was a deterrent. Income levels were
lower and the exchange rate was around ¢200
colones per one US dollar.
Today, incomes have increased and the
exchange rate is ¢550 colones. Some drivers
see the ¢20.000 colones fine as a way of
doing business rather than a deterrent to
speed or drive recklessly, the main causes
of most of the road fatalities.
On March 1, 2010, drivers in Costa Rica will
also, for the first time, face a point
system that can suspend the drivers license
of bad drivers and permanently cancel that
of recurring offenders.
Every driver begins the day on March 1 with
50 points. Each infraction, in addition to a
fine, will see a number of points deducted,
leading to a suspension. Drivers who lost
points can redeem them over time with good
driving habits.
The program's objective is of a deterrent to
bad driving habits and reduce the carnage on
the roads.
For instance, as it stands today and unless
modified in the coming days, a driver caught
going over 150 Km/h will automatically lose
50 points - thus their license - and have to
pay a fine of ¢227.000 colones.
Driving without a drivers license, a popular
theme in Costa Rica, means a loss of 25
points and a a fine of ¢227.000 colones. The
points are deducted when the person actually
obtains a drivers license.
Talking on a cellular phone, not wearing a
seatbelt, overcrowding a vehicle (too many
passengers, another favourite in Costa
Rica), all will mean a loss of points and a
heavy fine.
Attempting to bribe a Tránsito (traffic)
official is 20 points and a fine of ¢227.000
colones (although it is not clear if the
fine and points apply is a traffic official
asks for a bribe).
Making an illegal U-Turn, illegal parking,
illegal passing, not obeying a traffic
signal, not paying a toll and blaring noise
from a vehicle speakers will all now be
sanctioned with a fine and points.
Traffic officials will also now be enforcing
with fines of up to ¢90.800 colones things
like vehicles blocking intersections, a
major cause of congestion in downtown San
José, not carrying a drivers license,
damaging the roadway, taxis drivers who do
not use the taximeter, motorcyclists not
wearing a helmet and buses who make
unathorized stops.
Some of those items were included in the
currrent law, but lax enforcement made it
acceptable behaviour for many drivers, to
the detriment and safety of the rest.
In addition to the fines and points, the
Policía de Tránsito, is recruiting and
training an additional 400 officials, who
will be subject to an internal review board
and can be removed from the force in months
instead of the years it now takes to take
out a bad cop. |
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