MOPT Minister Ask
Traffic Officials To Be "Flexible" With
Drivers Come Monday
Although the new Ley de Tránsito takes
effect on Monday, March 1, it is probable
that Tránsito (traffic) officials will go
easy on minor offenders for the first 60
days, following a call by the Ministro de
Obras Públicas y Transportes, Marco Vargas,
on the officers to use prudence and educate
drivers about the new traffic law.
Of course that is only a suggestion by the
minister, for it will be entirely up to each
traffic officials on how to apply the law.
Notwithstanding, Vargas is asking officials
to educate the public especially in the
situation of minor infractions.
"The instructions to the traffic officials
is to inform the public of the new law and
to prevent. We believe that a period of 60
days is reasonable, but it doesn't implement
that drivers won't be fined, just the
traffic officers can be more flexible during
the period", said minister Vargas.
Vargas explained that traffic officials
should rather educate drivers, rather than
fine them, on items like the required use of
the emergency kit, the proper child
restraint chair to be used and other minor
items.
The minister feels that the public should be
properly educated before the full effect of
the law be applied, explaining that given
the presence of changes to the legislation,
changes that have to occur, the MOPT never
had a change to put out a promotional
campaign to explain the different points of
the new law.
Legislators have waited to the last minute
to make amendements to the law that current
legislative session passed in December 2008
but postponed until March 1, changes like
the reduction of fines, that will not likely
be approved in time for Monday, but may be
in the coming 30 days.
However, without a doubt the Policía de
Tránsito, come Monday, will be setting
roadside spotchecks in many locations.
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