I!!! better watch out
In 2003 I crashed my car that had airbags, obviously I didnt pay to get those replaced (value of that repair was about the cost of the car)
well it now turns out that cars designed to have airbags must have them MANDATORILY
also this law forces you to carry a first aid kit, a reflective vest and a fire extinguisher
good time to start selling the combo so if you can, get in the business LOL
Since I don't drive myself anywhere, this doesn't really bother me but it's just another in a long-line of ridiculous Tico backwards-ass "progress".
LOL at the law about dodging potholes; you don't want reckless driving, how about you try not making your roads out of a lousy wannabe mix of dirt and concrete that melts in the rain (you know, in a country where it rains half the year).
On a serious note though, just don't stop if you are on the highway and the transito signal you. They will do nothing. Legally, they aren't even allowed to chase you (which they are too lazy to do anyways, plus they have plenty of cars coming along to stop one of them instead).
LOL at the law about dodging potholes; you don't want reckless driving, how about you try not making your roads out of a lousy wannabe mix of dirt and concrete that melts in the rain (you know, in a country where it rains half the year).
On a serious note though, just don't stop if you are on the highway and the transito signal you. They will do nothing. Legally, they aren't even allowed to chase you (which they are too lazy to do anyways, plus they have plenty of cars coming along to stop one of them instead).
First Of Drunk Drivers To Jail!
With the publication of the new Ley de Tránsito yesterday in the official government publication, La Gaceta, Germán Marín, director of the Policía de Tránsito, confirmed that the "criminal" sanctions went into effect immediately, the first drunk driver stopped at 8am and was hauled off to the criminal courts.
Although the fines and the rest of the offences go into effect in nine months, drivers caught with more than 0.75 blood alcohol content, speeding in excess of 150 k/mh or taking part in "picones" (street racing), the penalties are already being enforced.
Marín explained that drunk drivers face one to three years in prison and that it went into force the moment La Gaceta was published yesterday. On Monday Transport officials has said the criminal provisions would not be applied until January 8, 2009.
Yesterday, the first cases of drunk drivers occurred in San José, where drivers were surprised being hauled off by members of the Fuerza Pública (police) to face the judges of the Tribunales de Goicoechea. The drunk drivers were handed over to the Fiscales (prosecutors) of the "delitos en Flagrancia".
The first drunk driver of the tough traffic laws was found driving a Isuzu Rodeo on Avenida Segunda by the BCR building. Identified by his last name only, Piedra, the driver was escorted to the courthouse and his vehicle impounded. Another driver, identified as Herrera, was caught driving a taxi in Moravia with a 3.5 blood alcohol content, which is translated into 18 drinks.
The new law has a zero tolerance for anyone found with 0.75 and over. The law does not sanction the driver with a fine, only by a prison term and the accumulation of 50 demerit points, resulting in a loss of license for two years on a first offence.
Last night, Tránsito officials as well as officials of the Fuerza Pública (police) had set up numerous spotchecks. some of which were located within an eyeball view of local bars, like the case in Pavas, near the US embassy, to detect drunk driving.
:monsters-
With the publication of the new Ley de Tránsito yesterday in the official government publication, La Gaceta, Germán Marín, director of the Policía de Tránsito, confirmed that the "criminal" sanctions went into effect immediately, the first drunk driver stopped at 8am and was hauled off to the criminal courts.
Although the fines and the rest of the offences go into effect in nine months, drivers caught with more than 0.75 blood alcohol content, speeding in excess of 150 k/mh or taking part in "picones" (street racing), the penalties are already being enforced.
Marín explained that drunk drivers face one to three years in prison and that it went into force the moment La Gaceta was published yesterday. On Monday Transport officials has said the criminal provisions would not be applied until January 8, 2009.
Yesterday, the first cases of drunk drivers occurred in San José, where drivers were surprised being hauled off by members of the Fuerza Pública (police) to face the judges of the Tribunales de Goicoechea. The drunk drivers were handed over to the Fiscales (prosecutors) of the "delitos en Flagrancia".
The first drunk driver of the tough traffic laws was found driving a Isuzu Rodeo on Avenida Segunda by the BCR building. Identified by his last name only, Piedra, the driver was escorted to the courthouse and his vehicle impounded. Another driver, identified as Herrera, was caught driving a taxi in Moravia with a 3.5 blood alcohol content, which is translated into 18 drinks.
The new law has a zero tolerance for anyone found with 0.75 and over. The law does not sanction the driver with a fine, only by a prison term and the accumulation of 50 demerit points, resulting in a loss of license for two years on a first offence.
Last night, Tránsito officials as well as officials of the Fuerza Pública (police) had set up numerous spotchecks. some of which were located within an eyeball view of local bars, like the case in Pavas, near the US embassy, to detect drunk driving.
:monsters-
They can chase you. Friend of mine ran before coming to a Transito road block at end of Avenida Segunda and they chased him. Took the car. Of course it didn't help he ran the wrong way down a one way street. That was like 7 years ago. I also just waved at Transit at a speed trap coming back from the beach about 5 years ago, he also chased me, gave me a ticket I never paid.
But waiving back hello and not stopping seems like a fine policy to me, it pisses me off they expect you to stop without putting in some effort. Just tell 'em you didn't need a parking space.
Don't drive without 20k colones in your car, and refuse to blow if they won't take the cash.
Jail for 0.75 BAC is ridiculous. They don't put thieves and murderers in jail, but they want to fill them with working class bar/casino patrons? They won't even arrest a thief who committed *armed* robbery if the amount stolen doesn't exceed some threshold dollar figure.
Putting someone in jail ruins the lives, most Costa Rican families only have one bread winner (the one driving the car, generally). There are already laws and penalties that cover problematic drunk driving (reckless driving, reckless endangerment, property vandalism, man slaughter, vehicular homicide), plus civil tort. Draconian laws that penalize every day activity, will have absolutely no reduction in real crime and real victims, but instead destroys the credibility and respect for the criminal justice system (if it had any to begin with).
Jail for 0.75 BAC is ridiculous. They don't put thieves and murderers in jail, but they want to fill them with working class bar/casino patrons? They won't even arrest a thief who committed *armed* robbery if the amount stolen doesn't exceed some threshold dollar figure.
Putting someone in jail ruins the lives, most Costa Rican families only have one bread winner (the one driving the car, generally). There are already laws and penalties that cover problematic drunk driving (reckless driving, reckless endangerment, property vandalism, man slaughter, vehicular homicide), plus civil tort. Draconian laws that penalize every day activity, will have absolutely no reduction in real crime and real victims, but instead destroys the credibility and respect for the criminal justice system (if it had any to begin with).
