As the new school year begins next week, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced an extensive road surveillance operation aimed at protecting students traveling to and from school.

The 2026 public school year starts Monday, Feb. 23, for more than 1 million students enrolled in over 5,000 public elementary and high schools nationwide.

More than 700 traffic officers will monitor key roads near schools to ensure the safety of children commuting by car, school bus and public transportation.

Under the country’s Traffic Law, the maximum speed limit near schools is 15 mph. Officers will use speed cameras to enforce the regulation. Drivers who exceed the limit face a fine of approximately $245.

Authorities also will ticket drivers who park illegally, including those who stop next to yellow lines, near fire hydrants, at street corners or in front of driveways. The fine for those violations is about $125.

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Drivers carrying excess passengers or cargo face fines of about $200.

For students traveling by school or public bus, officers will ensure drivers park properly at designated stops and remain stationary until all students have safely boarded or exited.

Drivers who park in unauthorized zones, fail to come to a complete stop at bus stops or do not allow students to board or disembark safely face fines of approximately $125.

Officers may also stop vehicles to verify required documents, such as a valid driver’s license or a permit to transport students. If documentation is not in order, the driver faces a $200 fine, the vehicle will be impounded and students will not be allowed to continue their trip to school on that bus.

Police will monitor compliance with child restraint laws, particularly for children under 12. Drivers transporting children without required safety devices, such as car seats or booster seats appropriate for the child’s size and weight,  face one of the steepest penalties under the Traffic Law: a fine of about $500 and a four-point deduction on the driver’s license.

Under the law, all children younger than 12 and shorter than 145 centimeters must use an appropriate booster seat based on their size and weight.

Infants and toddlers must ride in a rear-facing seat until they reach the highest weight or height limit specified by the manufacturer. Most convertible seats allow children to remain rear-facing for up to 2 years or longer.

Once children outgrow rear-facing limits, they should transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness and remain in it as long as possible, up to the manufacturer’s maximum weight or height limit. Many models accommodate children up to 65 pounds or more.

School-age children who outgrow forward-facing seats should use a belt-positioning booster seat until a vehicle’s seat belt fits properly, typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years old.

When children are large enough to use a vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use both lap and shoulder belts. All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat.

Authorities also reminded drivers that transporting children younger than 5 on a motorcycle is prohibited by law. The fine for that violation is approximately $500, along with a four-point penalty on the driver’s license.

Officials urged drivers to follow traffic laws and take precautions to prevent accidents, especially when transporting young children. Anyone who sees a child being transported without a required safety device may report the violation by calling 911.

Costa Rica recorded more than 500 traffic-related deaths in 2025, a 13.3% increase compared with fatalities reported in 2024.

In related developments, traffic fines were reduced by 0.22% this year, matching the same percentage decrease recorded in the Consumer Price Index.

MOPT is the government agency responsible for planning and managing the country’s roads, airports and maritime ports, and for overseeing public transportation regulations.

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