Emergency Kit A
Requirement Under The New Ley de Tránsito
That Goes Into Effect March 1
The new Ley de Tránsito goes into effect
come Monday, March 1st. We all know that the
new law brings heavy fines and tough
sanctions, but many do not know that the law
also requires all vehicles to have an
emergency kit and seatbelts in rear seats as
well.
The new law requires that every person
riding in a vehicle be bucked up and that is
every seat, front and rear, must have a
seatbelt or will subject to a fine by a
traffic official and will certainly not pass
the Riteve annual vehicular inspection.
For children under the age of 12, they have
to be restrained in the back seat and that
includes the use of a booster or child car
seat, depending on the age and size of the
child.
Although legislators are scurrying to finish
their motions dealing with reducing fines,
many owners of vehicles are out shopping for
an emergency kit that can run from between
˘25.000 and ˘50.000 colones, depending on
where you shop.
A number of auto parts stores have been
selling complete kits, while some auto
service shops and retailers have been giving
away kits with the purchase of a battery,
for example, at Super Baterias.
Every vehicle come Monday must have a jack
and wrench to change a tire, cables to boost
the vehicles battery, a fire extinguisher, a
reflective vest and a reflective triangle.
Some retailers like Ekono has slashed their
prices on all items to be included in the
kit. At La Guacamaya, buy one or two items
and get a discount on additional items.
Retailers, auto parts and service centres
have been ready with the kits since last
August in anticipation of the law going into
effect on September 23, 2009. However, with
the extension approved by legislators, the
kits were put away on the bottom shelf
waiting for the buying frenzy that begins
this week as most drivers and vehicle owners
have come to realize that the stall is over
and March 1 is rolling around quickly.
But, shop around, prices vary greatly,
depending on the shop and the quality.
For example a fire extinguisher can go for
as low as ˘6.500 or as much as ˘14.000. A
set of triangles can be purchased for around
˘2.000 in most places, but up to ˘5.000 or
more at other places. The same goes for a
reflective vest.
Prices of jacks and wrenches also varies,
depending on the quality and vehicle. A part
of good booster cables can set you back
˘10.000 colones, but well worth the extra
expense for a set of quality long cables,
especially if an when you find yourself with
a dead battery.
For those who need booster and child seats,
prices can range from as little as ˘12.000
colones to ˘45.000 colones or more. Again,
quality here is of the outmost importance,
as a good child restraint can be the
difference between life and death in the
event of an accident.
No matter if you buy a complete kit or each
item separately, it is best to keep them all
in one bag or container and replace an item
if and when required.
Don't get caught without one. |
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