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Published Thursday, October 15, 2020
Almost 60,000 drivers fined
for breaking the traffic law
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Polarizing filters in windows, vehicle modifications, not having paid the right to drive tax known as Marchamo, among other infractions of the Traffic Law, has caused 59,104 drivers fined this year, the Traffic Police reported.
The fines for non-serious offenses cost approximately $90.59.
Among the most common non-serious offenses on the Traffic Law are:
• Modifications in the odometer (or odograph) that records the kilometers driven by the vehicle since its first day.
• Move the steering wheel of the vehicle to reinstall it on the right.
• Install vehicle wheel hoops with sharp points.
• Modification of the cargo level to exceed the weight of the vehicle allowed to transport.
• Driving with an expired license.
• Not having paid the Marchamo.
• Not having the mandatory technical inspection known as Riteve RTV up to date.
• Install lighting objects on the windshield.
• Driving without lights on in the range of hours from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Drive vehicles that have been declared a total loss.
• Not having a complete emergency kit for the tire change.
• Not having the extra emergency tire.
• Not having a suitable fire extinguisher for the type of vehicle, among many other fails.
In September, the police reported more than a thousand drivers fined for not using child safety devices.
According to the police report, from January to August, 1,051 drivers were fined for transporting children without the proper safety devices.
At least 4 drivers a day were sanctioned for carrying children under 12 years of age without the safety devices according to their weight and size as carrycot seats or booster seats, said the police.
The penalty for not using safety devices is one of the most expensive established by the Traffic Law, equivalent to $370. The fine is in addition to getting four points deducted from your driver's license record.
According to Alberto Barquero, director of Traffic Police, these numbers represent an increase compared to the same period last year, when 973 penalties were registered for the same reason.
According to Barquero, the pandemic is one of the reasons drivers do not use safety devices when transporting kids. Because children are spending more time at home, adults just forget to install the safety devices in their vehicles. "This is not a valid justification when what is at stake is the lives of people who are supposed to be in the care of adults."
Of the total fines, 112 were for transporting children under 5 years of age by motorcycle, also prohibited in Traffic Law. Compared to 2019, the number of fines has increased by 23 from 89 fines to 112.
The third offense with the most fines in the same period is the transport of people outside the vehicle cabin and in the cargo area. This year 254 drivers were fined by approximately $190 for breaking that law.
Authorities call on drivers to respect the Traffic Law and take precautionary measures for accidents, especially when transporting children.
Also, the police reported fewer deaths caused by traffic accidents.
Due to the restriction rules imposed by the government, from May to August, to try to contain the covid-19 pandemic, the so-called ban on driving, there have been 81 deaths caused by traffic accidents. This is the lowest number of traffic related deaths recorded this year.
According to police, another factor in the decrease in deaths is because drivers are more cautious knowing that there is more presence of traffic officers on the roads.
From January to August, 192 people have died in road accidents, of these 70 were motorcycle drivers.
The car is the second vehicle in which more people died, with 29 cases. The bicycle is third with 25 deaths.
Regarding the possible causes of death, 45 cases are linked to the recklessness of the driver, 41 to the invasion of the lane, and speeding lands in third place with 29 cases. The rest are other offenses committed by pedestrians or drivers.
The authorities make a call to the public to denounce people who are breaking the Traffic Law. Complaints can be made by calling the General Directorate of Traffic Police number 2523-3300 or 911.
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Have you heard of drivers in your neighborhood breaking any of the regulations of the Traffic Law? We would like to know your thoughts on
this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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