Pacheco Calls for Vehicle Safety

President Abel Pacheco yesterday called for greater vehicle safety to reduce traffic accidents and highway deaths.

During his Sunday afternoon weekly radio address, Pacheco lamented that an average of two Costa Ricans are killed each day in transit accidents, and stressed that many of these deaths could be avoided if drivers improve the conditions of their vehicle's brakes, headlights and tires.

The President also called on Costa Ricans to improve the emission levels of their automobiles, claiming that high levels of gas contamination are bad for the environment and people's health.

Citing statistics provided by RITEVE, the Costa Rican-Spanish company contracted last year to conduct technical revisions of every vehicle in the country, the President noted that 23% of the 793,000 vehicles tested last year did not pass the brake test and 37% failed emissions tests.

Among taxis, 26% were found to have bad brakes, 13% had bad headlights and 50% exceeded acceptable emission levels. Buses did not fare much better, with 26% failing brake tests, 16% having bad headlights and 23% exceeding allowable emission levels, Pacheco noted, adding that one in four school buses were found to have faulty brakes.

Trucks and semis received even lower marks, with 44% of 18-wheelers failing the brake tests, including a 37% failure rate among trucks used to carry dangerous or flammable materials.

"This is serious, very serious," Pacheco said. "A vehicle with bad brakes, burned out headlights or emission problems is putting people's lives and health at risk."

The President noted that RETIVE also reported to the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ) 7,000 vehicles that were found to have altered numbers on their chases or motors. Approximately 20% of those reported were found to be stolen and resold, in many cases to unsuspecting buyers, Pacheco said.

Pacheco defended RETIVE, which was granted a controversial government concession last year that has been criticized and challenged by independent automobile workshops that used to conduct the technical inspections and issue circulation permits.

With talk of additional protests planned against RETIVE, Pacheco said: "There is no reason for marches, protests or roadblocks."

The President concluded his speech by asking Costa Ricans to be more conscientious about highway safety. "I respectfully and vehemently ask all of you to keep your vehicles in good condition, wear your seatbelts and drive carefully."