Published on Friday, August 16, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

 

Traffic police resumed their regular prohibition on driving laws based on car plate numbers in San José City on Friday, after being halted due to the Mother's Day public holiday.

Costa Rica observes Mother's Day on August 15, as part of the Catholic Church's commemoration of the Virgin Mary's Assumption into Heaven.



Today, restrictions to vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders with a specific license plate number, apply in Route 39, announced the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT).

That area is also known as the Circunvalación Route, which connects all of the streets that surround the capital city.

In this zone, the ban-on-driving rule continues from Monday through Friday, controlling driving from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The vehicle restrictions remain based on the last number of the vehicle license plate:

• Mondays: Vehicles banned with plates ending in 1 or 2.

• Tuesdays: Vehicles banned with plates ending in 3 or 4.

• Wednesdays: Vehicles banned with plates ending in 5 or 6.

• Thursdays: Vehicles banned with plates ending in 7 or 8.

• Fridays: Vehicles banned with plates ending in 9 or 0.

On Sundays and Saturdays, the driving restrictions do not apply. All types of vehicles, regardless of their plate numbers, are allowed to circulate in the city.

The Traffic Law states that drivers are fined $100 when they break the rule.  

Fines for violating traffic regulations were reduced this year. The Court Superior Council authorized the decrease based on the current Consumer Price Index.

As of July, there were over 250 deaths in traffic accidents. Of these, 54% were motorcyclists.

Last year police reported over 500 deaths in traffic accidents. Of the total number of fatalities, 48% were motorcyclists.

The MOPT is the government organization in charge of roads, airports and maritime ports planning and construction. It also regulates public transportation.

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How does the ban on driving in the city impact your daily life? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com