Close to Half Of Trailers Operating Without Vehicular Inspection
Tuesday, August 26th, 2008Regardless of the fog, cold and rain, family and friends took par in the funeral of Eva Álvarez, one of five who were tragically killed Saturday in Aguas Zarcas, in San Carlos, when a tractor trailer loaded with tree trunks lost control.
Sadly, the tragedy has revived pressure on legislators who have been stalling on passing the new Ley de Tránsito (traffic laws), that according to transport officials, could have been prevented with tough regulations.
The accident occurred Saturday morning when the driver of the truck lost control of his vehicle after the brakes failed. The loaded runaway truck was full of tree trunks that came loose from the flatbed trailer.
The driver told the media that he had problems with the trailer’s brakes in earlier instances and according to Riteve - the vehicular inspection authority - the trailer finally passed inspection on the fifth try, the earlier four failing for bad brakes.
According to Fernando Mayorga, general manager of Riteve, says that there are at least 10.000 of 27.000 trailers registered, which has still to pass inspection as of July 31.
The ministra de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT), Karla González, explained that traditionally very little has been done to regulate these types of vehicles.
“The law before congress would establish responsibility to the company and the driver. In addition, we need more officials. We have enabled the weigh scales at Cañas and Guapiles and will soon have five more operating”, said González.
For his part, Eddy Brenes, regional co-ordinator for the Policía de Tránsito, added that the tree trunks would have not come loose if they had been properly tied down.
The burial of the other four victims of the accident will take place today.
The driver of the truck, 24 year old, José Alberto González, facing charges of culpable homicide, was set free by the Juzgado Penal de San Carlos, on condition that he sign in to the court every 15 days and not allowed to leave the country.
