Mango Valley Hotel – Grecia, Costa Rica

Traffic delay approved

The lawmakers approved on second reading a measure that will postpone until March 1 the part of the new traffic law (that has bee called "draconian") that includes larger fines for traffic law violations.

The vote also covered the  corrections to misnumbered paragraphs in the original law that passed in December of last year.

The majority of the traffic law goes into effect this Wednesday, September 23rd.

Business chamber joins the delay game against the effective date of the new traffic law

It appears that even lawmakers have finally realized what they’ve done. Many of them are actually supporting the delay of the recently approved new traffic law.

The new traffic law is called "draconian" by everyone who read the document. It introduces many requirements that the majority of the drivers will not be able to fulfil in time. It also increases the fines to the ridiculous level: no seat belt-$700 (more than the average MONTHLY salary); burnt light bulb – $300 (why or why?? things do happen, where on earth can you find a light bulb in the middle of the night?), the list goes on.

It is certain that the new law will only inspire more bribery. Read more »

San Jose vehicle access restrictions are back this Tuesday (tomorrow)

The director of the Imprenta Nacional (National Printer), Nelson Loaiza, confirmed that the decree to reinstate the vehicular restrictions of San Jose will be published today, Monday, July 20, and as such will go into effect beginning at 6 a.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, July 21.
The minister of MOPT, said last week that the vehicular restrictions will begin this week, possibly Tuesday and that the Policia de Tránsito is all set to uphold the restrictions.

It must be some sort of a legal record for the slow-paced Costa Rica. The previous restriction was thrown away by the court on June 12. Read more »

Canadian motorist is sentenced to a year in jail for reckless driving under the new traffic law

Jonathan Samuel Erwin Tercotte was accused of driving at a high speed March 16 in Nuevo Arenal de Tilarán, Guanacaste. It appears that he was the first one to have been convicted under the new law.

Fortunately, the judge stipulated in the sentence that instead of going to prison the man could perform what amounts to community service.