Under the name “Prevention is not fashion, it is a way of life” (La prevención no es moda, es una forma de vivir), together with the State insurer, the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS), the Costa Rican Social Security Fund – the Caja – and the Ministries of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), and Health join together to raise awareness among motorcyclists who are involved in some 12% of the 37,500 traffic accidents a year.
In 2019, the INS invested ¢53 billion colones in the care of traffic accident victims.
Statistics reveal 440 people died on site in traffic accidents in 2019, of which almost half (49%) were motorcyclists.
“It is our duty to raise our voice and generate strong actions that allow us to formalize this frontal fight against traffic accidents. We have seen in the INS a significant increase in the care of this type of patient and today we are especially concerned and concerned about motorcyclists because they suffer the worst part of an accident,” said INS Executive President Elian Villegas.
Around the globe, every year some 1,200,000 motorcyclists die, In Costa Rica, according to COSEVI data, 218 died during 2019 and according to INS records another 18,587 received medical attention in hospitals and clinics. The most frequent injuries of motorcyclists occur in the knees (13%), shoulders (8%), ankles (6%) and hands, wrists and legs (4% each).
The INS, on its website for the prevention of accidents, offers the following advice:
- Use personal protective equipment.
- Respect the traffic signs.
- Value your life and that of others. Moderate your speed.
- Do not drive if you plan to consume alcohol.
- Always check the mechanical condition of your motorcycle.
