Costa Rican authorities arrested 1,218 drivers for drunk driving from January through August after they tested above the country's legal threshold for a Level-A offense, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, or MOPT.

Traffic police administered more than 11,300 breathalyzer tests nationwide during the first eight months of the year.

The tests resulted in the arrests of drivers whose blood alcohol concentration exceeded 0.75 grams, which qualifies as a Level-A offense under Costa Rican law.

The penalties are strict. Each offender faces a fine of about $860, receives six penalty points on their driver's license and has their vehicle impounded at the time of the arrest.

Under current regulations, accumulating six penalty points results in an automatic driver's license suspension. To regain driving privileges, offenders must complete a mandatory driver's education course and pass a renewal exam with a minimum score of 70 out of 100.

Authorities also fined more than 185 drivers whose blood alcohol levels measured between 0.20 and 0.75 grams. Although those drivers were not arrested, they received the same $860 fine and six penalty points.

Another 248 drivers tested positive for minimal levels of alcohol but were not penalized.

Police also reported about 50 cases in which drivers refused to take a breathalyzer test. Those individuals were taken to a police station for mandatory testing.

More than 1,600 drivers were arrested for drunk driving in 2025, officers said.

Authorities are urging the public to report suspected drunk drivers by calling 9-1-1.

In related developments, Costa Rica recorded 376 traffic-related deaths from January through July. Motorcyclists accounted for the largest share, with 216 fatalities, representing 57% of all traffic deaths during the period.

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 Costa Rica's roads, airports and maritime ports, as well as overseeing public transportation regulations.

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