San Jose, Costa Rica (PressExposure) March 09, 2010 -- On March 1st, Costa Rica's latest traffic law went into effect. The new piece of legislation consists of a series of stringent regulations and stipulates steep fines for drivers and vehicles that violate both new rules as well as previously existing ones. There has been an enormous hubbub as well as some serious confusion regarding the new regulations, which have received a great deal of press over the last few months as legislators debate possible reforms and alterations to the law, while drivers and car rental agencies like U-Save have scrambled to get their own vehicles in order. Both law enforcement officials as well as private citizens have protested the lack of clarity that exists as to exactly which infringements will actually lead to monetary sanctions.
Most of the confusion stems from the fact that after having approved the law almost unanimously in 2008, Costa Rica's legislative assembly seems to be torn as to whether it should actually have taken effect last Monday, and various representatives of congress have actually filed numerous motions to dispute many of its stipulations, while others have taken actions to have it repealed altogether. Many politicians have even gone as far as to suggest that the reason this new legislation was passed in the first place was that the majority of the country's legislators themselves failed to read through the bill that was being proposed before hastily approving it. According to these critics, it wasn't until later that members of congress realized that they had passed a law whose strict sanctions and severe regulations could have severe repercussions for a population of people caught in the grips of one of the worst economic recessions in recent times.
To make matters even worse, despite having a great many of motions to wade through before agreeing on a final version of the new law, the country's congressional body has failed to act quickly enough to prevent it from going to effect as is. It is for this reason that the new legislation began being enforced last Monday, despite the combined protests of private citizens and law enforcement officials who feel that it calls for excessively steep fines, harsh sanctions and numerous safety requirements that will be difficult for ordinary people to comply with.
Most of the congressional debates surrounding the new traffic legislation have focused on two main issues, namely: the point system, (which punishes drivers who violate the law by removing points from their license) and the maximum blood alcohol level permitted by law, (which many congresspeople would like to see stay at .075% while others argue that the international norm of .05% should be enforced). On the other hand, one rule that everyone seems to agree on is the requirement that all vehicles be equipped with a safety kit that includes a lug wrench, reflective vest, triangles, jumper cables and a first aid kit.
In order to avoid sanctions, protect its customers and be in full compliance with the new law, U-Save Costa Rica car rental has taken measures to ensure that its entire fleet of vehicles is fully equipped with all these items. Renters can thus find peace of mind in the knowledge that the trunk of their vehicle contains everything they need in order to safely change a flat tire, assist a fellow driver and avoid being ticketed by an officer of the law during there stay in Costa Rica.
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U-Save Costa Rica is a leading car and truck rental agency that offers discount rates as well as a wide selection of vehicles for hire at three separate locations throughout the country.