Careless driving now costs only ¢20.000
The Sala IV gave another blow to the Ley de Tránsito and the efforts of traffic officials to reduce the carnage on Costa Rica’s roads.
The latest decision by the Sala Contitucional (Constitutional Court) reduces the ¢351.585 colones fine for speeding 20 km/h over the limit to the maxim of ¢20.000 of pre March 2010, when the new traffic law went into effect.
The Sala IV called the fine “irrational”.
In the last year the Sala IV has reduced the fines for many traffic infractions, including speeding.
However, speeding over 20 km/h was called “velocidad temeraria” (careless driving) and came with the higher fine instead of the ¢5.000 colones (rolled back) fined for speeding just one kilometre over the limit.
Confused? You are not alone.
In March 2010, the new Ley de Tránsito went into effect, raising fines from between ¢5.000 and ¢20.000 (the maximum fine set out in the traffic law that went into effect in 1993) to more than ¢300.000 when all costs were added in.
So, on March 2010, only drivers going 20 km/h over the speed limit could be fined. The fine was the higher limit. For drivers going over 120 km/h the fine was even higher and more points. For driving in excess of 150 km/h it became a criminal act and the driver subject to up to three years jail and suspension of their drivers license.
However, late last year the Sala IV rolled back the speeding fines based on they being “disproportionate. From that point on, drivers going as little as 1 km/h over the limit could be sanctioned the lower fine, but if going 20 km/h or over the limit, they were subject to the higher fines. The 120 km/h and 150 kn/h rule stayed the same.
Now, today, going 20 km/h over the limit costs only ¢26.000 colones when costs are added. That is less than a meal for two at a fine restaurant.
Confusing things even more is the points.
Although the fines have been lowered, the points system is in place. Thus, speeding only 1 km/h or 20 or 50 – as long as it is below 150 – points are accumulated and there is a loss of drivers license when 50 points are reached.
Driving with a suspended license still costs over ¢300.000 with costs and more points.
This is a fact forgotten by many drivers who, in their wisdom, consider the current (low) cost of speeding as just a cost of doing business, forgetting that the accumulation of points will see them without a drivers license for two years – up to a lifetime ban for repeated suspensions – and a mandatory five day drivers education course.
The director of the Policia de Transito, Diego Herrera – like his predecessor – is indignant of the Court’s decision and asks rhetorically, “what is worth more: a life or an administrative sanction?”
The Court decision also affects fines for obstructing a road, illegal parking and not having brake lights.
• Careless driving drops from ¢270.299 to ¢20.000
• Obstructing a road from ¢180.199 to ¢2.000 (no typo)
• Illegal parking from ¢144.159 to ¢5.000
• No brake lights ¢108.199 to ¢2.000
So, my concerns are:
1. Crime
2. Healthcare as I am into preventative and alternative plus I have severe asthma
3. Natural disasters? What could happen?(tsunami’s, bad earthquake, volcano eruption)?
4. How volitile are other countries and do they go to CR?
5. Safety?
Here is the scoop
1) Crime: Overall I feel much safer here than in the US. In my opinion, if you compare City to City, Suburb to Suburb or Rural to Rural, the crime rates are much lower. San Jose has greatly improved over the last 5 years, particularly at night. I walk freely at night in San Jose (not in the bad areas) and I have never had a problem. Mainly you have to be on the look out for Police shake downs. The thievery here is ridicules and you really have to take precautions to protect your property. To be perfectly honest, you have to be exceedingly careful with whom you trust. There is a sense of entitlement that is a little bit weird. Related to that, personal integrity is not as high of a value in this culture as it is in North America, neither is truth telling. That part is an adjustment.
2) The health care system, for the average person, is MUCH better and much cheaper here than the US. Clinica Biblica is absolutely outstanding and a fraction of the cost of US hospitals. You can choose between Public Option insurance or Private Insurance and they are very affordable. What I like most is that most of the pharmacies have doctors. For minor things you can go in, see a doctor and be out with you meds in minutes. Related to that, the food system here is also outstanding. It is so much easier (and cheaper) to maintain a healthy diet it. Men have a 400% better chance to live to age 90 here. Do a google search on Blue Zones Costa Rica.
3) Earthquakes are common, more than 300 measurable a year. The area is constantly releasing energy, so in my opinion the risks here are much less than on the west coast of the US. The construction here typically is unphased by the earthquakes. Deaths from earthquakes typically come from landslides and this is something that you should consider in your home selection. I have lived near volcanoes nearly my entire life. It is not a good idea to live to close to an active volcano in my opinion. If you are more than 20 or 30 miles away, you are pretty safe. I was only about 50 miles from Mt St Helens when it blew up and I was totally unaffected. There are two types of volcano, shield volcanoes and dome volcanoes. Shield volcanoes do not store as much energy and are not explosive. Dome volcanoes (like Arenal) do store up a lot of energy and are potentially explosive.
4) The area is pretty stable. I go to Nicaragua frequently, there are places there that I really like. The political situation there is messed up, but it does not effect those living here or visiting there. There are many Americans living there because it is cheaper than Costa Rica. It is a little too poor for my taste. Nice to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there. All in all, life in Costa Rica is very peaceful.
5) All in all, I think it is much safer here than in North America. That does not mean that you can go where ever you want. Like ANYWHERE there are areas that you should absolutely avoid. In general, I recommend NOT living in isolated situations. It is certainly safer living in a community situation vs a situation where you are isolated.
Honestly, the biggest adjustments are cultural. The Costa Rican people have a very different way of thinking and they are very, very sensitive people that are easily offended over things that seem like normal conversation to you and me. There is also an Every Man For Himself element to the society, that is related to the thievery and the lack of honesty.
We have a joke among my friends, once you get past the lying, the cheating and the stealing, Costa Rica is a wonderful place. If you can inoculate yourself from those negative aspects of the curture, everything else is really great. This is the most polite and peaceful place I have ever been.
That is as honest an answer as I can give you, I hope it helps.