(QCOSTARICA) This week and next are the mid-year vacation in Costa Rica, when almost a million students are off school and many families head to the beaches and resorts.
It is also a time when drinking and driving and all other kinds of craziness occurs on the roads across the country.
And it is for this that the Policia de Transito (traffic police) will be focusing its efforts on the major routes out of the Central Valley, with 744 officials, in 426 units that includes patrol vehicles, tow trucks and motorcycles.
The head of the traffic police, Mario Calderon, explains that there will be 18 more officials than last year (stretching their resources to the limit), nationwide to control speeding, drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs, using their cell phones or driving without a seatbelt, among other infractions.
Some routes like the San Jose – Caldera (Ruta 27), the Cambronero (San Ramon – Puntarenas), the Interamericana Sur and Norte, will have major controls at strategic points.
Last year, the traffic police report issued 6.535 fines during the July vacation period, an average of 435 daily. The majority of the tickets last year were for failing to have the required circulation permits (title, marchamo and riteve), failing to respect traffic signals like stop signs and no left turn, for example, and a number of drivers with expired drivers licenses.
To avoid becoming a statistic, the Q recommends the following:
- Drive defensively
- Keep an eye on other drivers and their behaviour
- Drive within the speed limit and adjust to road conditions (ie. rain, heavy volume of traffic, etc)
- Ensure your vehicle is safe, ie. tire pressure, tire condition, the engine in good mechanical order, brakes work, windshield wipers work and washer fluid
- Drive on the right side of the road, let speeding vehicles pass, don’t overtake unless really necessary and then only with precaution, the life you save could be yours
- Carry a flashlight if you are walking at night
- Walk against traffic (this is something I see failed every day, people walking with their backs to the oncoming cars)
Use the comment section below for your tips on keeping safe.
PS. If driving in San Jose, a reminder that the vehicular restrictions are suspended , back in effect on Monday, July 20.
