So far in 2018, 293 people have died in Costa Rica because of road accidents, a number that concerns the transit authorities that have seen three months that have exceeded 40 deaths and August could be the fourth.

The month of June registered the most deaths with 45; while the month of August through this past Monday, accounted for 37 deaths.

According to transit authorities most of the accidents occur due to recklessness, speeding, using the phone while driving, texting and driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, improper passing, etc. Another common cause of accidents is the lack of skill or expertise of drivers, through July a total 24,292 tickets had been written for drivers without a license.

Not using the seat-belt or in the case of motorcycle drivers not using the helmet is also a frequent practice.

2017 closed with 458 deaths resulting of road crashes (170 of these were motorcycle drivers, and 33 passengers aboard a motorcycle), while 2016 accounted for 456 and 2015 registered a total 398.

Out of the 458 deaths registered in 2017, 396 were men.

The number is alarming, especially considering that the months of October, November and December usually have a high number of accidents.

Road accidents also leave many people injured, the Development Observatory of the University of Costa Rica presented on June 19, the study “Estimation of years lost due to accidents involving a motorcycle”, which reveals that it costs the country a 1.2% of the GNP to handle transit accidents involving motorcycles; this translates into close to $800 thousand USD.