Ley De Tránsito Will
Go In Effect On Monday As Was Approved In
December 2008
The new Ley de Tránsito goes into effect on
Monday, as it was written and approved by
legislators back in December 2008. Although
the introduction of the full legislation was
pushed back to September 23, 2009 and then
March 1, 2010, to allow for discussion on
amendments, legislators could come to full
agreement what those amendments should be.
In fact, legislators on Monday will have
wade through some 213 motions made during
the past couple of weeks.
At the heart of those motions are changes to
the high fines that will form part of the
driving experience in Costa Rica on Monday
and changes to drinking and driving
provisions that now limits the blood alcohol
content at 0.75, after which drivers are
hauled to jail.
So, on March 1, drivers in Costa Rica will
face a new system of fines and points for
various infractions, fines severe enough to
deter bad driving and a point system that
can lead to temporary and permanent
suspension for repeat offenders.
On Monday all drivers will begin the day
with 50 points on their licenses. Each
driving offence comes with a determined
number of points deducted. When the number
of points hits 0, the license is suspended
for up to two years, and permanently for
repeated suspensions.
Drivers, however, with good behaviour can
redeem the lost points over time.
Driving over 150 km/h, driving under the
influence of alcohol or drugs (impaired),
for instance is 50 points, in effect
automatic suspension, in addition to the
¢227.000 colones fine.
Driving without a license or a suspended
license is 25 points and a ¢227.000 colones
fine. So is driving a gypsy taxi or "taxi
pirata" as they are known in Costa Rica.
Talking on a cellular phone while driving is
20 points and a fine of ¢170.250. So is not
stopping at a stop sign or a red light or
yielding to traffic.
Driving with tinted windows in the back
window is 10 points and ¢90.800. So is
driving with too many passengers
(overcrowding the vehicle based on the
passenger limit as set out in the vehicle's
registration).
Not have the vehicle's registration in the
vehicle or taxi and bus drivers insulting
passengers does not impose a point loss but
comes with a fine of ¢45.400 colones.
Not stopping to pay tolls or blaring
speakers from a vehicle will cost the driver
¢22.700 colones.
Facing loss of points and heavy fines are
also the failure to restrain children under
the age of 12 in a child restraint and in
the back seat. Failure to buckle-up and to
insist on all passengers, front and back, to
buckle-up comes with a stiff fine and points
for the driver.
The ministro de Obras Públicas y Transportes
(MOPT), Marco Vargas, said on Thursday is
asking Tránsitos (traffic cops) to use
discretion and not fine drivers for minor
offences, taking the opportunity to educate,
rather than punish. The policy would be in
effect for at least the first 60 days.
However, no word has come from the country's
top traffic cop, Germán Marín, whose 1.200
Tránsitos are the responsibility to enforce
the law. |
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