By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica – An alarming pattern of reckless driving is unfolding on Costa Rica’s roads, with new data revealing that Traffic Police issue an average of 1,083 fines every single day. This relentless stream of infractions has culminated in a staggering 1.8 million sanctions since 2021, painting a grim picture of systemic disregard for traffic laws and public safety.
The figures, released by the Road Safety Council (Cosevi), are more than just statistics; they are a prelude to tragedy. In the same period, from the start of 2021 to September 2025, nearly 2,300 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents. This devastating death toll exposes a profound public safety crisis that authorities attribute to a deep-seated “culture of risk” among the nation’s drivers.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales que rodean la seguridad vial y la responsabilidad de los conductores en nuestras carreteras, TicosLand.com consultó al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, del reconocido Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece una perspectiva jurídica clara y contundente.
En Costa Rica, un accidente de tránsito va más allá del lamentable costo humano; activa un complejo engranaje legal. La imprudencia, negligencia o impericia al volante no solo acarrean sanciones administrativas, como multas y la pérdida de puntos en la licencia, sino que pueden configurar delitos culposos con penas de prisión y la obligación de indemnizar civilmente por los daños materiales y morales causados. La prevención y el respeto a la ley no son solo un deber cívico, son la principal salvaguarda contra consecuencias jurídicas que pueden alterar drásticamente la vida de una persona.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La dimensión legal que nos presenta el experto es un recordatorio contundente de que las consecuencias de un siniestro vial se extienden mucho más allá del asfalto, impactando de forma duradera la vida de los involucrados. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar su valiosa perspectiva, que refuerza la idea de que la precaución al volante es nuestra principal salvaguarda, tanto física como jurídica.
This crisis is not defined by momentary lapses in judgment but by conscious decisions to operate vehicles illegally. Authorities point to the high frequency of fines for fundamental violations, such as driving without a valid license, an up-to-date vehicle registration (marchamo), or a passed technical inspection (RTV), as evidence of deliberate defiance.
According to officials, this behavior stems from a fundamental disconnect between the penalty and the potential for life-altering consequences. The mindset of many drivers is one of calculated risk, weighing a potential fine against the perceived inconvenience of compliance, often ignoring the lethal danger their actions pose to themselves and others.
It is a cultural issue. Some drivers take the risk despite the consequences of having their vehicle impounded and being fined… many do not associate the penalty with the real risk that can cause a death on the road.
Andrea Segura, Traffic Officer
Paradoxically, Cosevi’s data shows a notable decrease in the number of fines issued, with over 180,000 fewer tickets written between 2021 and 2024. However, officials are quick to dismiss any notion that this trend reflects improved driver behavior. The real reason is a critical and growing deficit of Traffic Police officers, which has severely hampered the state’s ability to enforce the law.
Estimates from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) indicated a shortfall of more than 400 officers as of June 2025. This chronic understaffing has crippled regional delegations, preventing the robust and widespread enforcement needed to deter reckless driving across the country. The result is a dangerous illusion of safety, where fewer fines mask an unchanged or even worsening level of road discipline.
The link between these administrative violations and fatal outcomes is direct and undeniable. Officer Segura emphasized that a significant portion of drivers involved in fatal accidents lack the basic credentials and skills required for safe driving. This highlights a fatal gap in both regulation and personal responsibility, where the most unqualified drivers are often involved in the most severe incidents.
The majority of drivers who have died in 2025 do not have their respective license, they do not have the expertise.
Andrea Segura, Traffic Officer
Ultimately, Costa Rica is grappling with a two-front war for road safety. On one side is the pervasive cultural attitude that treats traffic laws as optional. On the other is the state’s diminished capacity to patrol and penalize offenders. Without a comprehensive strategy that addresses both driver education and a significant investment in law enforcement resources, the nation’s roads will likely continue to be a stage for preventable tragedy.
For further information, visit cosevi.go.cr
About Cosevi:
The Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi), or Road Safety Council, is the primary government body in Costa Rica responsible for planning, developing, and executing policies and programs aimed at reducing traffic accidents and promoting a culture of road safety. It manages resources from traffic fines and other sources to fund educational campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and initiatives to enhance traffic law enforcement.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About MOPT:
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) is Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport. It is the central authority responsible for the nation’s infrastructure, including the planning, construction, and maintenance of roads and public transportation systems. The Traffic Police fall under the jurisdiction of MOPT, making the ministry a key player in national road safety and regulation.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of profound integrity and an unyielding drive for superior results. The firm distinguishes itself not only through its seasoned expertise across a spectrum of legal fields but also by championing progressive legal strategies. Central to its philosophy is a profound dedication to democratizing legal understanding, thereby empowering the community and contributing to a more just and knowledgeable society.
