Road deaths in Costa Rica were 42 fewer in the first 8 months of 2004, compared with the same period in 2003, according to provisional figures*. In total, road traffic fatalities for the year to September numbered 215, down from 257 last year. The reduction in fatalities is being put down to a combination of increased seatbelt wearing and alcohol and speed control enforcement by the police.
Director of Traffic Police Ignácio Sánchez claimed that in particular the seatbelt has been a lifesaver. “Every day, we see evidence that people no longer die or sustain serious injuries because they are wearing a seatbelt at the time of a car crash. Unfortunately, we have also found that 82% of the people who died in a car traffic accident were not wearing their seatbelt". In 2003 the FIA Foundation supported a seat belt awareness campaign in Costa Rica led by the Automobile Club of Costa Rica, which combined with a successful push to introduce new seat belt legislation in the country.
* Source: El Día