QCOSTARICA – Not having a drivers license (or driving under suspension) did not stop hundreds of Costa Ricans from taking to the roads during Semana Santa.
The Policia de Tránsito (Traffic Police) report issuing 718 tickets – the single largest number of tickets – to drivers behind the wheel without a valid license.
Tránsito director Mario Calderon said the number of tickets issued for this reason alone increased over last year, yet did not have the figures on hand.
Calderon explained that despite the public awareness campaing and the increased number of tránsitos (officials) and patrols during Semana Santa, many risk it in the belief that there aren’t any controls.
In total, 7.949 traffic tickets were issued during the holiday week.
Other infractions included not respecting traffic signals, not wearing a seatbelt and not having the Riteve vehicular inspection, among others.
In addition to the traffic fines, Tránsitos confiscated 256 vehicles and 825 sets of license plates.
The confiscation of license plates is an effective method by the traffic officials to get the vehicle off the road, without the laborious and costly task of towing a vehicle if confiscated. A vehicle without its license plates cannot circulate, leaving it up to the driver and/or owner to get it off the road and then the chore of retrieving the plates after payment of all traffic fines.
