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Photo via Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT).


Costa Rica launches back-to-school surveillance operation



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Published on Monday, February 3, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff





As the new school year begins this week, Traffic Police are stepping up their efforts to protect students with an extensive road surveillance operation, the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) announced.


The public school year will kick off on Wednesday, February 5, with approximately 1 million students from 5,000 public schools across the country.


The operation involves over 300 traffic officers monitoring key roads around schools to ensure the safety of children traveling by car, school bus, or public transportation.


Police remind drivers that the Traffic Law sets a maximum speed limit of 15 mph on roads near schools. Officers will be using speed cameras to enforce this regulation.


Additionally, officers will issue tickets to drivers who park illegally, including those who stop next to yellow lines, near hydrants, at street corners, or in front of driveways.


Drivers carrying excess passengers or cargo will also face fines.


For students traveling by school or public bus, officers will ensure that drivers park properly at bus stops and wait until all students are safely on board or have exited before moving.


Drivers who park in unauthorized zones, fail to stop completely at bus stops or do not allow for safe student boarding or disembarking will be fined.


Officers may stop drivers to check documents, such as a driver’s license or a permit to transport students. If the documents are not in order, the driver will be fined, the vehicle will be impounded, and the students will not be able to continue their journey to school on that bus.


Police will also be monitoring for drivers transporting children under 12 years old without the required safety devices, such as car seats or booster seats, appropriate for the child’s size and weight.


Not using the proper safety device is one of the heaviest fines under the Traffic Law, with a penalty of about $500 plus the loss of four points on the driver’s license.


 






According to the law, all children under 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 set by the manufacturer of their car safety seat. Most convertible seats allow children to ride rear-facing for up to two years or longer.



Once toddlers and preschoolers exceed the rear-facing limits, they should transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. Many seats can accommodate children up to 65 pounds or more.



School-aged children who have outgrown the forward-facing limit should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly—typically when they reach 4 feet 9 inches in height and are between the ages of 8 and 12.



When children are large enough for a vehicle seat belt, they should always use both the lap and shoulder belts for the best protection. All children under 13 should ride in the back seat.



Police are also warning drivers that transporting children under 5 years old on a motorcycle is prohibited by law. The fine for this violation is approximately $500, in addition to a four-point penalty on the driver’s license.



Authorities urge all drivers to follow the rules and take precautions to prevent accidents, especially when transporting young children.



Anyone who sees a child being transported without a safety device can report it by calling 911.



Officials reported that Costa Rica recorded 505 traffic-related deaths in 2024.



Traffic fines were reduced this year after the Court Superior Council approved adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.



The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) is a government agency responsible for planning and managing roads, airports, and maritime ports. It also oversees public transportation regulations.





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What is the penalty for transporting a child in a vehicle without a safety device in your country? 
We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com




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