Costa Rica's
Roads Are Death
Traps
The roads in
Costa Rica,
especially in
the Gran Area
Metropolitana (GAM)
or Central
Valley where the
majority of cars
transit, can
only be
described as a
"mortal trap".
Bad road design,
missing signs,
open ditches,
potholes, light
posts in the
middle of road
and more all are
challenges faced
by drivers
daily.
And there are
sections of
roads like the
Virilla bridge
of the General
Cañas that
continues,
almost a year
later, with a 10
centimetre (4
inch) gap in
between the
spans, causing
traffic to slow
down, some even
stop completely,
on Costa Rica's
most transited
carretera.
We use the word
carretera
instead of
autopista
(highway) as
anyone who
driven on the
General Cañas
can quickly see
that it lacks
much to be
called a
highway: a road
that was one
four lanes,
expanded to six
by removing the
shoulders,
bridges that
still continue
with four lanes
and buses making
stops along the
road.
Other carreteras,
though called "autopistas",
are the Braulio
Carrillo in the
area of the
Zurquí, the
Florencio
Castillo,
Bernardo Soto,
Prospero
Fernandez and so
on.
They all come to
one conclusion,
with the
addition of bad
drivers, the
roads are
"deathtraps".
Even though the
number of
fatalities have
been reduced in
the last couple
of months with
the introduction
of the tough Ley
de Tránsito,
serious
accidents are a
common daily
occurrence.
We invite you
write in your
selection of bad
roads and your
stories.
Send your
email to [email protected].
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