Drunk Driving in Costa Rica
At least he is in the back seat
Drunk Driving
Did you know that it is perfectly legal to drink and drive in Costa Rica? I can even take beers into the taxi with me when I am bar-hopping. No need to pound that beer down, just get a plastic cup to go and take it to the next bar. Yup, you can bring beer into a bar too!
However, driving while drunk in Costa Rica is not legal, confusing?
Yeah, confusing to say the least, almost like entrapment. But here’s the kicker, and this is straight from the newspaper.
“The only provisions of the new Ley de Tránsito in place are the sanctions against drunk driving that makes it a criminal offence to be behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content of 0.75 and higher“
I will say it again, 0.75% blood alcohol level before being considered drunk.
When I read this in today’s news I just couldn’t believe it so I had to start looking around. The first place I go when I am searching for information on Costa Rica is the Real Costa Rica Blog. I searched for “drunk driving” and found a post “the New Driving Laws in Costa Rica”. This is a great article explaining the most important parts of the new law or at least the ones we will care about.
So it’s true, you can be obliterated (.5 is pretty drunk, I think) and it’s okay, just don’t kill anyone.
:)
Photo Source
Come on, this is a great photo, I had to use it even though he is not driving…
i don’t know how drunk .5 is, or .75. if i have one glass of wine, i don’t drive. two glasses of wine and i start talking a mile a minute.
@Seraphine : It’s pretty drunk. In the states .08 is the legal limit, .2 is like super drunk.
You can find the full new Ley de Transito 2009 in ENGLISH at http://www.newleydetransito.com
The fines, the new requirements, the points system, and the full law translated. Ebook, worth the $10 price. Don't get caught when the law comes into effect.
@Shorty – Very cool. I appreciate you sending that link. I will read it when I have some extra time.
You can find the full new Ley de Transito 2009 in ENGLISH at http://www.newleydetransito.com
The fines, the new requirements, the points system, and the full law translated. Ebook, worth the $10 price. Don't get caught when the law comes into effect.
@Shorty – Very cool. I appreciate you sending that link. I will read it when I have some extra time.