By Wendy Anders

As Costa Rica’s traffic police bolster their year-end patrols in an attempt to prevent the typical spike in traffic accidents and fatalities that accompany the holiday festivities, some hopeful data came in for November.

With 20 traffic-related fatalities November 2016 had the lowest recent traffic mortality since February 2014 when only 17 people died of such causes, said the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works (MOPT) in a press statement.

The lowest recent highway mortality during the month of November was in 2011 when 11 fatalities were registered, said the MOPT.

Pedestrians are the 2nd cause of highway deaths overall this year with a total this far of 53 fatalities. Speeding is the top cause of roadway deaths with 122 fatalities registered so far this year, said the MOPT. Motorcycles are the most mortal vehicles with a total of 174 motorcycle fatalities so far in 2016.

Commissioner Mario Calderón, Director of Traffic Police, said every death on the road is regrettable, but felt pleased about the reduction in the number of deaths on the road in a month in which liquor consumption usually increases due to parties prior to Christmas.

“Although, officially, we started our Christmas operation after the Children’s Hospital tree was lit on December 1, since November, we have increased road controls to prevent speeding and drunk driving. We’d like to think that this work has borne fruit, as reflected in this decrease in deaths; in any case it gives us encouragement as we enter into the difficult month of December,” continued Calderón.

Last December, 40 people died in highway accidents, and traffic police are aiming to reduce that number to ideally as low as November’s rate if not lower.

MOPT said that over the past ten years, there has been only one year (2012) with fewer than 30 highway deaths in the month of December.

“The reduction in roadway fatalities is not solely in the hands of the Traffic Police. During such a special month for Christians, it is each person’s decision whether to turn this into a season of joy or a period of mourning and tragedy,” said Calderón, who urged drivers to:

— Not drive if you have been drinking alcohol.

— Not overload your car with passengers and/or gear.

– Not speed to get to a party or to get home from one.

— Not drive at odd hours so as not to risk falling asleep at the wheel.

Alongside a nice bike helmet for a gift, or a car or booster seat, traffic officials wish all Costa Ricans to give their families and loved ones the gift of health and safety by taking care when driving and walking.

Have a safe and happy holiday.