Q COSTA RICA — Costa Rica recorded 425 traffic fatalities between January and August, according to data released by the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT)—Ministry of Public Works and Transportation—which also reveals a decrease in the number of deaths during the last four months analyzed.
Official figures indicate that 230 people died on the country’s roads between January and April, while 195 deaths were recorded between May and August.
Although the reduction marks a positive change compared to the beginning of the year, the data continues to reflect the impact of traffic accidents in Costa Rica, primarily among motorcyclists.
Of the 425 people who died, 247 were motorcyclists, representing 58% of all road fatalities during the first eight months of the year.
In other words, nearly six out of every ten fatalities were motorcyclists, according to figures shared by the MOPT.
This data once again places this group among the most vulnerable in Costa Rican road traffic, especially due to the lesser physical protection motorcyclists have in the event of a collision, loss of control, or impact with another vehicle.
And the recklessness of many motorcyclists that is clear to anyone driving on Costa Rica’s roads, whether in the busy metropolitan area or out in the more remote areas.
The MOPT took advantage of the release of the statistics to emphasize the need for responsible driving.
“Behave yourself, it’s for your own good, it costs nothing,” the institution stated as part of its message to drivers.
Speeding Leading Cause of Fatal Traffic Accidents
Among the behaviors associated with fatal accidents, speeding is the leading factor identified by authorities.
According to the data released, 146 people died in incidents related to this behavior, making it the leading cause of death on the country’s roads.
This figure represents approximately one-third of all fatalities recorded up to August and reinforces institutional warnings about the risks of driving above the speed limit or at speeds that are not compatible with road conditions.
Speeding not only increases the likelihood of having an accident, but also reduces the time available to react to an obstacle, a pedestrian, another vehicle, or a sudden change in traffic conditions.
Furthermore, the higher the speed at the time of impact, the greater the potential consequences for vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Traffic authorities keep this behavior among their priorities for roadside enforcement, along with other behaviors such as improper overtaking, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
August saw no alcohol-related deaths
Alcohol continues to be a steady and increasing issue on the roads of Costa Rica. One of the key findings from the MOPT specifically concerns August, a month in which, according to the released statistics, no deaths were reported due to driving under the influence of alcohol.
This figure stands out in the road safety report, as driving after consuming alcoholic beverages has historically been one of the behaviors of greatest concern to authorities.
However, the fact that no deaths associated with this factor were recorded during August does not eliminate the risk posed by driving under the influence of alcohol.