Stolen, Vandalized or Obstructed Traffic Signs A Major Contributor To Traffic Fatalities In Costa Rica

Without a question many of the traffic accidents are due to bad driving and the lack of respect for others on the road. But, signs covered by tree branches, graffiti and theft are also a major contributor to the problem, which has resulted in thousands of accidents and 309 fatalities for far this year.



This past Thursday, for example, a brewery truck collided with a motorcycle. Reports indicate that the motorcyclist failed to obey a stop sign, which on inspection was found to be covered by a tree.

In the accident 23 year old Catalina Espinoza Villarreal lost her life, while her boyfriend who driving the motorcycle, Michael Bustamante, is in serious condition in hospital.

Transit authorities are well aware of this type of problem, where traffic signs are blocked, missing or vandalized.

Diego Herrero, the director of the Policia de Transito (traffic police) says, "we cannot count how many times this happens, but it happens frequently. It is important to report this (missing or obstructed signs) to the the transit authority".

Junior Araya, director of the Ingeniería de Tránsito (traffic engineering) explained that one of the most common occurrences is that after installing a traffic sign, over time a tree will completely or partially obstruct it.

"We do not have a fleet dedicated to prune trees and rely on the road maintenance beautification crews to notify us", said Araya.

Transit officials say, another factor that affects the signals is vandalism or intentional theft and continues to be a major headache for the transport department despite changing the materials used to make the signs, making them less attractive (financially) to be stolen.

"The aluminum signs were stolen and sold for scrap. We are now using galvanized steel, which most chatarreras (scrap yards) do not accept", explained Araya.

The engineer added that some areas are targeted more than others by vandals and thieves, mostly for the joy of it. "Some time ago we had a serious problem in the area of Cerro de la Muerte", said Araya.

The transport department is calling on everyone to help out and report problems.

Reports of missing, obstructed or damaged traffic signs can be made to 911 or 800-transito.

Authorities are also asking the public not to plant trees near traffic signs to avoid they becoming obscured over time.