  According to the Traffic Law, the fine for this type of offense is approximately $185. - A.M. Costa Rica illustrative photo - |
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 Published
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
More than
1,300 drivers fined fortalking on a handheld phone while driving By the A.M.
Costa Rica staff
Despite the ban on driving applied this year to try to contain the advance of the pandemic, where most of the cars could not be used regularly due to the ban-on-driving rule, traffic officers report a 33% increase in fines for talking on a handheld phone while driving. According to the report, from January to September, 1,376 drivers were fined for not using a hands-free device and being caught driving while talking on the phone, sending a text or holding the phone. The number of fines exceeds by 442 the sanctions for the same offense that were recorded last year, even though there was no ban on driving restrictions imposed by the government. According to the Traffic Law, the fine for this type of offense is approximately $185. Police report other types of reckless behaviors while driving, such as carrying a pet on the legs. The Traffic Law does not indicate anything about how pets should travel, but the law does clarify that the driver must focus on driving. "Carrying a pet on the legs is clearly a factor of distraction and danger," German Marín Sandí, director of the traffic police said. One of the risks of carrying pets on laps is that the animal could make unexpected movements such as wanting to jump out the window, jump between the seats, or any other sudden behavior, which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. According to traffic officials, there have been cases in which the animal falls on the pedals of the vehicle and the driver cannot break or accelerate causing fatal accidents. Another of the fines that have increased is driving without wearing a seatbelt or allowing someone inside the car not to buckle up. During the same period, from January to September, 5,137 more drivers were fined for this offense. This is equivalent to a 15% increase over the fines recorded last year, the traffic police said. According to the law, the fine for this type of violation is also $185. Some drivers claim that they thought that only people in the front seats should wear a seat belt, which is false, the police said. Last week, traffic police reported that almost 60,000 drivers were fined for breaking the traffic law such as having polarizing filters in windows, vehicle modifications, not having paid the right to drive tax known as Marchamo, among others. That has caused 59,104 drivers to be fined this year. 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. • Moving the steering wheel of the vehicle to reinstall it on the right. • Installing vehicle rims with sharp points. • Modifying 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. • Installing lighting objects on the windshield. • Driving without lights on in the range of hours from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. • Driving 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. 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 at 2523-3300 or 911. ---------------------- What have you witnessed in regards to drivers 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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