In a few days the new traffic law, passed by legislators in September, will be signed by the Presidenta, published in La Gaceta and be in effect.
Interesting is that the same inspectors who will be responsible for upholding the law have found errors in the approved text and will have to make amendments.
One of the errors is the missing of a sanction (fine) for not obeying the instructions of a traffic official. Article 93 of the approved text on “General Rules” requires a driver to “immediately comply with the verbal or written instruction of a transit authority” which can include asking a driver to pull over (stop) by either a hand signal or a sign.
Well, the writers of the law fogot to include the a fine for not obeying, thus leaving the decision to stop or not on the goowill of the driver.
Another error uncovered was that legislators did not include the action of a transit official to seize a vehicle and/or its license plates if the vehicle fails a roadside gas emission test or is making excessive noise (from a muffler, speakers, etc).
The law only allows for a fine of ¢47.000 colones and the rolling chimeny or loudspeaker on wheels, only to repeat the offence over and over.
The intent of the law, we are to undestand from transit authorities, was to temporarily take the vehicle out of circulation until the situation is rectified.
Yet another error is in the seizure of vehicles involved in accidents causing injury to a person or persons. The approved text allows the seizure subject to the physical space at the Transito patios (lots). For years the situation – the piling up of seized vehicles for years on end – has over saturated all the transito lots.
In the coming days, as officials review the approved text more closely, there could be even more errors that will need to be fixed.
Stay tuned.
Source: Traffic Law Costa Rica
