www.CostaRicaTicas.com

New traffic fines approved but put on ice until mid-January
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Those caught driving drunk New Year's morning will not face the stiffer penalties of the new traffic law. The law was signed by President Óscar Arias Sánchez Wednesday, but it will not take effect until 10 working days after it is published in the La Gaceta official newspaper. The current fine for drunk driving is 20,000 colons or about $36.50. The fine under the new law is 11 times as much, and there are provisions for jailing drivers who injure others.

The government is providing funds for 400 new Tránsito officers to enforce the law. There was no explanation from Casa Presidencial on why Arias stalled on signing the measure. Officials unveiled the proposal Oct. 31, 2006, at Casa Presidencial. Officials then said they hoped to get the measure to the Asamblea Legislativa in a week. Arias said then that the goal was to reduce the rate of traffic deaths from 14 to 11 per each 100,000 inhabitants by 2010.

The cost of caring for those injured in motor vehicle mishaps in 2005 alone was 3.4 billion colons or about $7 million, said Karla González, the transport minister, at the presentation. Wednesday she explained that the La Gaceta would not be publishing over the Christmas holidays and that the law itself says it does not go into effect until 10 days after it is published. Those days are based on a five-day work week. The bill won first approval from the Asamblea Legislativa Nov. 24, but Arias was on a round-the-world trip.

When signing the measure Arias said that the law was severe and necessary to end the war that is seen daily on the highways. He added that the law is not directed at responsible drivers. Because of the high fines and other penalties, some have seen the new law as a license for Tránsito officers to seek bribes, but the law also creates an anti-bribery squad to investigate such matters. The law probably will go into effect sometime in mid-January.

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

For the safety of gringos walking from the DR to SL, the new Ley de Transito will also include a c45,000 (~$90) fine for jaywalking.
Officers will be regularly stationed en route for your safety.

http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/diciembre/18/pais1815821.html

_________________
It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money--Tom T. Hall
No man is a failure who is enjoying life--William Faulkner