  The fines for vehicles with missing parts such as missing a windshield or bumper, not carrying a fire extinguisher, not having brushes to clean the windshield, not having an extra tire, faulty lights and horn, among others. - Traffic Police courtesy photo - |
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 Published Wednesday, August 19, 2020 17,000-plus
fines for
faulty vehicle status By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Traffic Police have issued an average of 2,500 fines per month, during the first seven months of the year, for violations of the Traffic Law. According to the Ministry of Transportation, most fines are for non-compliance with the minimum state of the vehicle for driving requirements, meaning vehicles are not up to date following guidelines. In the period from January to July, there have been 17,385 fines costing about $40 each, for vehicles with missing parts such as missing a windshield or bumper, not carrying a fire extinguisher, not having brushes to clean the windshield, not having an extra tire, faulty lights and horn, among others. In the case of trucks, the most common faults were not having a tire retainer (used when it is parked), or not having a bumper. In the case of buses, the most common faults were not having an emergency exit, faulty lights and lack of reflective tapes. In the case of red taxis, most of the faults were due to the taximeter being broken. Also this week, Traffic Police reported almost a thousand drivers fined for not using booster seats.  According to police, between January and July, 955 drivers were reprimanded for not using safety devices, booster seats in their cars while transporting children under the age of 12. This year that specific type of fine was 12% higher than the same period last year. These statistics show the irresponsible attitude of many adults when driving with children, police said. "Any number of fines, for this reason, is disturbing," said Alberto Barquero, deputy director of the Traffic Police. "We would not want to think that people have become more negligent in this matter." According to the police, as a result of stricter surveillance operations in the streets and driving restrictions there have been more cases of breaking Traffic Law than last year.  Also during the same period, 106 motorcyclists were fined for transporting children under 5 years of age on the motorcycle. Transporting children under 5 years of age on a motorcycle is illegal in accordance with the Traffic Law. The fine for transporting children under 12 years of age without the respective booster seat or transporting children under 5 years of age on a motorcycle is $371, plus a penalty of 4 points less on the qualification note of the driver's license. ------------------------------- Have you rode in a red taxi experiencing a broken taximeter? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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