Costa Rica: Rolling Back of Speeding Fines Generates Frustration

Although today is Friday the 13th, without a question Wednesday the 11th is a black day in Costa Rica, the day when the Sala Constitucional struck down the article of the Ley de Tránsito, annulling the high fines that went in to effect on March 1, 2010.

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In the decision, the maximum fine for speeding in Costa Rica on Thursday was ¢5.000 colones and not the ¢275.000 colones (plus costs that bring the total to ¢360.000) the day earlier. The lower amount is the fine prior to March 1, 2010 that was set in the nineties.

The talk of the town - in the print media, the internet, television, radio, local watering holes and even the long lines in Palmares - was the for and against and indifference on the impact of the Court decision.

At noon, Pilar Cisneros, the channel 7 news anchor, blasted the magistrates of the court, the legislators for not doing their job and all the politicians of the country.

The Court's decision said the higher fine was disproportional. Quickly the question was "what is then a proportional fine?"

There is no answer to the question for the Magistrates of the Constitutional Court did not give an explanation of what is just and fair and what is not.

Although some rejoiced at the lowering - rather, rolling back - of the fines, the majority demonstrated concern as Costa Rica's roads go back to their "lawlessness" state prior to March 1, 2010, where drivers neither respected the rules of the road, nor the traffic officials.

A ¢5.000 colones (us$10) fine is less than a movie and popcorn and certainly no incentive to not speed, one of the main causes of fatal traffic accidents in the country.

Worse is the expected decisions on other challenges to the legislation that will roll back other fines, like running a red light, in the same way there was a roll back on not wearing a seatbelt and talking on a cellular phone while driving.

The consensus is that the decision erodes the trust in the politicians, legislators and the courts. Why would anyone want to obey or follow a law when all that is required is appeal it at the Sala IV?

Or what about the legislators who have been working for almost two years on a new Ley de Transito and are no way near an agreement.

In the words of Cesar Quiros, the director of the Policia de Tránsito, the amount of the fine is not a determining factor in regulating traffic and tighter controls.

Quiros said his officers will be out in full force as always, especially with the start of the Palmares Festival, and will be applying the traffic laws to the fullest with focus on speeding and drunk driving.

Some of the comments on the social media included

The person who gets stopped and issued a ticket is because they earned it, they did something wrong. Why now give this wrongdoer a lesser punishment?

How can we be the "happiest country" when only filled with irresponsibles, if we continue this way this country will see even more deaths on the roads.

Shame on rewarding irresponsibility

He/She who owes nothing, fears noting: if you drive well and respect the laws what is to fear?