QCOSTARICA — Despite some harsh laws on drinking and driving, one in four drivers in Costa Rica tests positive for alcohol behind the wheel.
According to the latest available figures, of the 7,046 roadside breath tests carried out from January to September, 1,687 people tested positive, 24% of the total.
The most alarming thing is that 74% of these positive cases, that is, 1,250 drivers, showed such high levels of alcohol that the authorities referred them directly to the Prosecutor’s Office on charges of reckless driving.
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Oswaldo Miranda, director of the Policia de Transito (Traffic Police), a dependency of the Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes (MOPT), expressed great concern about the high proportion of drivers who drive in dangerously excessive amounts and a worrying increase in the number of drivers facing legal proceedings for driving under the influence of alcohol.
“It is surprising that someone with these levels of alcohol in their blood could even drive,” Miranda stressed, highlighting the serious irresponsibility that this behavior represents.
Just this Wednesday, a Fuerza Publica (National Police) officer died after being run over and another was seriously injured when the driver was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Authorities highlight that compared to 2023, the figures have already been exceeded. Last year, 66% of the drivers tested resulted positive; this year the figure is 74%.
Looking ahead to the last quarter of the year, Miranda also expressed his concern, as a period of greater risk is approaching, that with the end-of-year holidays which are usually accompanied by alcohol consumption.
Another point highlighted by the authorities is the increase in deaths. The Cruz Roja Costarricense (Costa Rica Red Cross) reported 55 deaths in September, 19 more than in the same period in 2023. This represents a 52.7% increase.
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According to data from the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), the number of people treated in emergency services for traffic accidents has shown a significant increase in recent years.
These numbers do not include deaths in hospitals or patients treated for injuries at the INS (national insurer) medical centers.
According to Donald Corella, head of the Emergency Service at the Calderón Guardia Hospital, this phenomenon represents a serious problem due to the morbidity and the resources needed to treat and rehabilitate those affected.
Another situation that alarms doctors about the situation in Costa Rica is that many of those treated were under the influence of alcohol and drugs or were in preventable situations.
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Beyond the judicial processes, the economic sanctions have been significant.
Of the 1,687 positive cases, 228 drivers received a fine of ¢364,000 colones and accumulated 6 points on their driver’s license.
In addition, another 80 people were sanctioned with the same fine for refusing to take a breathalyzer test, a conduct that is also considered serious.
Given this scenario, the authorities insist on the importance of citizen awareness to avoid more tragedies on the roads.
“To reduce the risk of accidents, it is important to adopt preventive measures, such as not answering phone calls while driving, maintaining a safe distance, not exceeding the speed limits, and using turn signals and mirrors before maneuvering,” they recommend.
With the intensification of festive activities in the coming months, the traffic police will maintain strict controls, with the aim of reducing incidents and avoiding more deaths related to alcohol at the wheel.
Preventive actions and the commitment of drivers are essential to reduce the fatal consequences of this type of irresponsible behavior.
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