Driving in Costa Rica is a challenge at the best of times, especially in the San Jose Metropolitan area. Aggressive driving behaviours amongst motorists of all descriptions result in numerous traffic accidents, usually of the “fender bender” nature.
However, if you analyze the driving habits of motorcyclists as a group, they present the most alarming array of dangerous driving habits of all, including passing on the right and weaving in and out of other vehicle traffic, to name but a few.
Motorcycle messengers make-up up a large percentage of the motorcycle driving crowd. I understand that the normal manner of payment for these motorcycle messengers is on a “piece-work” basis, rather than a fixed salary.
This manner of wage payment undoubtedly is a stimulant to the erratic driving behaviours exhibited. The more deliveries that are made in a day, the greater the income that is earned by the messenger.
Fatalities and serious injuries sustained in accidents involving motorcyclists, is greater than in any other driving category.
The cost of personal injury care related to these accidents to the CAJA Medical Insurance, the INS, and other private insurers, is enormous. In my opinion, there are only two viable solutions to this problem, either prohibit payment of motorcycle messengers on a “piece-work” basis, or require insurance premiums commensurate with the driving habits of the particulars motorcyclist, or both.
INS offers a 10% safe-driving discount for vehicle drivers with five, or more years of accident-free driving. This should be available to motorcyclists as well, but with an insurance premium that accurately reflects the risks of the insurance industry for the claims made arising from this erratic driving behavior.
This is a matter that has risen to epidemic proportions and deserves an immediate solution.