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Okay, I guess I'll have to be the test subject.

The driving experience in Costa Rica is neither better nor worse than in any american city. As is the case "up north" we have our shares of idiots and rolling wrecks, but for the most part driving here is a tolerable experience. The worst of it is that in the twenty years we've been here, it seems like the number of vehicles on the road has about doubled but the availability of roadways has largely remained the same. The implications for traffic congestion are obvious.

And then there are the motorcyclists who appear to care not for their own safety and rely on you to see to it that they make it home.

The traffic laws are enforced intermittently. Among some drivers, observance of the rules is spotty. And sometimes enforcement is extremely overdone. Recently, a friend was stopped by the Transitos (traffic police) and her car was inspected. She was "awarded" a ticket for $500(!) because the required fire extinguisher, which no thinking person would ever undertake to fight a car fire with, was out of date. It must have been recharged within the past year.

And, while I don't know how common this is, I was once (rightly) stopped for going the wrong way on a one-way street. The officer offered to collect the c10,000 fine on the spot. When I explained that I didn't have that on me, he wrote the ticket for c5,000 instead of "as an act of kindness". Uh huh.

My safe driving tips include to always concede the right of way. Stop for pedestrians. Watch out for motorcyclists and bicyclists who seem rarely to watch out for themselves. Obey the posted speed limits, one-way ("No Hay Paso") signs, no parking markings, no parking signs in garage entrances, etc. If you do get a ticket, you have to go to the bank to pay it. That is, wear comfortable shoes, find a place to park, get in line at the bank, order lunch, and smile at the teller when your turn finally comes up.

Also, treat the Transito officers with respect and never, ever offer a bribe or agree to one if the officers asks for it.

Pedestrians have no rights here and still challenge drivers to hit them.....Plus, it is an open bar on our roads and highways...Comparing it to any American city is not going to fly.....North Americans finally woke up and are not coming down like they use to....Better late than never.