More than 40,000 drivers fined for wrong pull over

- Published: Wednesday, January 15, 2020-

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Traffic Police reported that 42,688 drivers were fined for incorrect parking during 2019.

According to the police, the most common types of illegal parking are being over five meters or closer to the ramps for people with disabilities, being within five meters of hydrants, being in the corners, being in an area where there are parking prohibition sign, blocking the entrance to garages, being over the sidewalks and blocking the exit of emergency vehicles such as firefighters and ambulances, among others.

According to the police, part of the problem is the bad habit of the drivers who pulls over anywhere.

“They have bad habits, patterns that must change. There are many cars on the roads, and we must understand that the roads are essential for driving, not for parking,” said German Marin, director of the Traffic Police.

According to the police, much of the congestion on the streets is caused by poorly parked vehicles.

The police called on drivers not to pulling over in prohibited places and to use public parking locations instead.

Law No. 9078, entitled Traffic Law by Land Public Roads and Road Safety, allows the Traffic Police to fine drivers and confiscate plates and vehicles for illegal parking.

In a related action, Tuesday the Road Safety Council approved an increase in the costs of transport and custody of vehicles confiscated by the Traffic Police.

The new amount per vehicle transport is $13 covering a distance of 6 kilometers or less. The price increased by $1 compared to last year.

In the transport of vehicles for more distance, the rate is $2.19 for each additional kilometer.

For example, transporting a vehicle confiscated by the Traffic Police for a distance of 10 kilometers to the council facilities would cost $22.

As for custody of the vehicle, the new rate is $7.47 per day. This rate increased by the equivalent of 51 U.S. cents compared to last year's price.

According to the council, the confiscation of vehicles occurs when a driver breaks the traffic law in cases such as improper parking, driving under the influence of alcohol or driving without a license, among others.

According to Carlos Rivas, director of the council, the new rates are not generating profit for the institution. The new rates are for covering the costs involved in the transportation and custody of a vehicle after the owner committed a fault.

According to Rivas, there are costs such as patrol fuel, insurance policies to cover vehicle damage and private security services at the sites where vehicles are confiscated, among others.

To recover the vehicle, the owners must first pay the fines that were established due to the infraction. After having paid all the fines, the driver must go to the council facilities to request the return of the vehicle. In a document that is provided, the estimated fee for transporting and custody services will be listed.

In order to recover the vehicle, that fee must be paid.

The authorities called on drivers to recover the vehicle the same day they pay the fines. Otherwise, they must pay for all extra days the vehicle remains in custody.

Only vehicle owners can pay fines and recover the vehicles. In case the owner cannot go in person to the council facilities, another person can do so with legal authorization.

More information on how to claim a seized vehicle can be obtained at the council line 506 2522-0900.

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How much is the fine in your country, for the confiscation of a vehicle? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com