Between July 3 - 14 motorists will not have to comply with the traffic restriction that prohibits vehicles from entering downtown San José on one weekday, according to the last digit of their license plate number.
The highest fines of ₡306,850 ($533) will apply for drivers who refuse to take a breathalyzer test or for owners of vehicles causing noise above the allowed decibel limit.
Traffic Police Director Mario Calderón said that he does not believe the reduction in fines will prompt an increase in traffic violations, as they do not represent a significant change.
Motorists will be able to drive freely throughout San José during Easter Holy Week as Public Works and Transport Ministry officials agreed to suspend vehicle restrictions that prohibit drivers from entering the capital's downtown area once a week, according to license plate numbers.
Violations to Costa Rica’s Traffic Law will cost motorists an average of 1 percent more starting next month, after Costa Rica's judicial branch approved increases of up to ₡3,126 ($5.75) according to the category of the fine.
The popular navigation smartphone app Waze listed Costa Rica as the tenth worst country in the world to drive a vehicle on its 1st. Global Driver Satisfaction Index released Thursday.
Traffic Police reported that 19 people died in drunk driving accidents from January through August, a 46 percent increase over the same time period last year.
