Increase In
Traffic Tickets
In Dispute
The number of
drivers
disputing their
traffic tickets
has risen by 8%
according to
figures by the
COSEVI, mainly
due to drivers
feeling they
were fined
unjustly. The
increase is
mainly due to
the high amount
of the fines.
The COSEVI says
that the total
number of fines
being disputed
are 7.470
totalling an
amount of more
than ¢300
billion colones.
In the past the
highest fine
amount was
¢20.000 colones.
However, today a
driver can face
a single fine of
¢293.000 colones
for speeding and
Tránsitos
(traffic
officials) have
been known to
issue multiple
fines for
multiple
offences,
tallying up a
fine of ¢1
million colones
or more at a
single stop.
The director of
Consejo de
Seguridad Vial,
Héctor Monge,
explained that
since the new
Ley de Tránsito
went into effect
on March 1,
2010, some
85.000 tickets
have been issued
by tránsitos,
but only 6.265
have actually
been paid.
The reason for
the non-payment
can be
attributed to
the pending
reforms to the
law that is
currently before
the legislature
that, if passed,
would reduce
fines as much as
half of the
current. And
most drivers are
confident that
the lower fines
will be
retroactive.
Monge added that
the high number
of disputes or "impugnaciónes"
in Spanish, has
authorities
worried as the
general feeling
of drivers is
"no pago" (I
will not pay).
This attitude,
says Monge,
prevents the
institution from
having financial
stability and to
develop road
safety projects
planned by his
administration.
To dispute a
traffic ticket,
a driver has to,
in person, visit
any local
Tránsito police
station or the
COSEVI officers
in La Uruca or
regional centres
and file the
dispute with the
"impugnación"
office.
The time for a
dispute to heard
can be up to six
months and is
recommended you
give the COSEVI
a number (fax
preferrable) of
where you can be
notified in six
months. If the
COSEVI cannot
reach you, the
traffic court
may rule you as
absent and firm
up the fine,
which is then
payable - plus
interest, late
fees and court
charges - when
you renew your
driver's
license.
A ¢300.000
colones fines
could easily
double or more
in one or two or
three years time
when the license
comes up for
renewal.
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