Tránsito Confirms Hardline
Policy During Semana Santa
Sixty radar units, 100 breathalyzers, 160
motorcycles and 24 tow trucks are the tools
of the 700 or so Tránsito officials who are
out patrolling the major highways as the
exodus from San José to the beaches and
mountains reaches its peak period.
The Policía de Carreteras (highway police)
has made it very clear that it will be
strict during Semana Santa in applying the
new Ley de Tránsito (traffic law) and the
heavy fines.
The strict application of the law was
confirmed by the viceministra de Transportes,
Rosaura Montero and the director de Tránsito,
German Marín.
Thursday morning all the major highways were
bumper-to-bumper on the way out of San José.
The San José - Caldera was described as one
long parking lot, as most motorists heading
for the Central and North Pacific coasts
prefer it over the old route of the Interamericana.
Many drivers complained that, in addition to
all the traffic congestion, it was costing
them ¢1.930 in tolls.
Traffic leaving San José today should be
easier, but expect major traffic congestion
beginning Saturday night as most will start
their head home to San José. Traffic on
Sunday, as usual at the end of holiday
period, will be a nightmare.
To reduce congestion, Tránsito is expected
to open up additional lanes into San José,
closing off or reducing outbound lanes, to
allow for the excess of vehicles coming into
the metropolitan area.
The major concern of
Tránsito officials will be speeders,
especially those who insist on driving over
150 km/h and drunk drivers, those drivers
with 0.75 or over. These drivers, under the
law, face one to three years prison, fine
and loss of license.
In addition to the patrols, spot checks at
various strategic points will be operating
around the clock.
The spot checks include members of the
Fuerza Pública who will be checking for
weapons and drugs, among other things, and
possibly the OIJ and immigration police.
Viceministra Montero asked the that erratic
drivers be reported to 800 TRANSITO
(800-8726-7486). |
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