News: Pirates and Reduced Traffic Fines

Pirates

Traffic madness has inundated the streets of Costa Rica today is pirate taxi drivers, euphemistically called porteadores (carriers), have turned to the Costa Rican tradition of turtleism in the streets. Turtleism, or tortuguismo, is a slow down of epic proportions: drivers engaging in this form of protest inch forward as slowly as they can, often at less than 5mph, and drive two abreast, so as to completely block traffic from getting through. The pirates are using this technique to pressure the government to continue to allow them to serve as “private transportation companies,” and the local police allow these people to block traffic all they want. People are getting off buses and walking, as bipedal motion is more efficient than rolling along with the help of the internal combustion engine. Don’t travel today if you don’t have to. It’s frustrating.

Traffic Fines Reduced

The legislative assembly voted to reduce fines for many traffic infractions by up to 70%. Drunk drivers will now pay 196,578 colones if they’re caught, and that’s still a month’s salary for the average worker. Reckless driving, drag racing and Other “lesser” infractions received more drastic cuts. The new amounts will not be valid on the streets until they are published in the government daily La Gaceta. Stay tuned for more changes.

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