by Rod Hughes

The Traffic Law, entailing stricter fines and jail time for infractors, is nearing a floor vote in the Legislative Assembly. An important vote in the Judicial Affairs Committee on Riteve’s monopoly of vehicular inspection is due this afternoon.

Several weeks ago, the English-language weekly The Tico Times chronicaled the moving story of citizens who had lost loved ones in the carnage on streets and roads. They gathered hundred of thousands of signatures of concerned residents in an unprecedented petition campaign to put the bill back on the agenda after it was removed by the Arias Administration in despair that it would be acted upon and in fear that it would delay other important legislation.

Under this outpouring of intense public concern, the bill was restored to committee. But this did not keep the Legislative Assembly deputies from quibbling over certain details. Libertarians, violently allegic to monoplies, objected to the manner the Spanish-Costa Rican firm Riteve had been selected to conduct vehicle inspections. Some legislators objected to increased jail time for reckless and drunk driving, claiming that it left too much to a judge’s judgment. (Some critics considered this objection was based on “there, but for the grace of God, go I.”)

One of the laws the Administration feared would be delayed is one that is needed to implement the CAFTA free trade pact with the United States. And that one is certain to spark a long and arduous debate–the breakup of the telecommunications monopoly and the opening up of that market to private enterprise. One can expect street demonstrations from government employees who opposed CAFTA before the referendum passed it into law.

Mayi Antillon, heading up the National Liberation faction, the Administration party, expects “a complicated debate,” Costa Rican understatement for a knock-down, drag-out floor fight. Elizbeth Fonseca, leader of the PAC delegation, chief opposition to CAFTA and its 13 implementation laws, said, “I’m not certain it will get far–it’s very confused.”

Those opposed to the breaking of the ICE monopoly have presented an incredible 640 amendments, some honest objections, most of them obstacles intent on strangling the bill in its crib.