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Why I don't drive at night when in CR

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Trout
  3/18/2021 09:05 EST

When visiting CR I avoid driving at night. Why? American Airlines Flight Crew ‘Robbed At Gunpoint’ On The Way To San Jose Airport. If there are no thieves out then most of the drivers are either drunk, speeding and/or driving recklessly.
AA Crew robbed: "The website Viefromthewing.com that broke the story speculates the driver was 'in on it'.
My take on this, it may just be so.
One, at that hour of the morning, I have driven a number of times in the past few months, there is almost no one on the road. At the point, the road is three lanes, it would be easy to swerve to avoid something in the road.

Two, the Ministry of Public Security says it has no report of the assault. Why wouldn't the driver call police? Either at the scene or after getting back to the hotel? And on that, he would be closer to the airport, where there is some branch of police in the area, the head back to the hotel (I won't mention the name) but am quite sure it is the one by the Sabana park or the Escazu hotel where I have seen AA flight crews dropped at.

Three, "their wallets weren't taken" according to the report. Assuming neither their passports. Why is this relevant? Put yourself in a similar situation. You are a foreigner, you have your computer, cell phone, jewelry and other valuables stolen, will you take the time report it? Maybe. Maybe not.

But if your wallet with credit cards and passport, definitely. A must on the passport. And to the OIJ. Does the driver who 'is on it' want that? Most likely not.
The story is, this and other m.o. have become more common.
Try to swerve, if at all possible, to avoid hitting something on the road, common driver sense, but never, ever stop unless forced to.
When driving at night, especially, keep your eyes open all around you. If you feel you are being followed, head for a crowded place or police station.
Drive like a maniac, make noise, stand out, your attackers may want to find an easier target. If on the way to the airport, there is always police around, day or night." Rico QM FBook

https://qcostarica.com/american-airlines-flight-crew-robbed-at-gunpoint-on-the-way-to-san-jose-airport/

https://ticotimes.net/2021/03/17/airline-crew-robbed-en-route-to-costa-rica-airport-report-says

Trout
  3/18/2021 09:10 EST

https://viewfromthewing.com/american-airlines-flight-attendants-robbed-at-gunpoint-on-the-way-to-the-airport/

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Lisapuravida
  3/18/2021 11:15 EST

Your first post cites two different sources. Interesting how the reporting is quite different of the same situation.

qcostarica indicates this (and then speculates on the reasoning). Consulted, the Ministry of Public Security (MSP) responded that they were not aware of the situation, most likely the incident was not reported to police.

Tico times reports; We reached out to Costa Rica’s Public Security Ministry (MSP) and the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ), but neither could provide more information about the events. (Basically indicating "no comment" from the agencies.)

qcostarica further states: Due to the nighttime vehicle restrictions, there is little traffic on the Autopista at that time of night, even less traffic police.. Again more misinformation, there is nightime vehicular restrictions but there are police everywhere enforcing it! In fact since vehicular restrictions, police have amped up their patrols as they are finding cars that have no RTV, no marchamo, no plates and stolen vehicles!

Kohl
  3/19/2021 10:28 EST

Further information on this incident is below.

https://qcostarica.com/assailants-target-the-7-kms-road-to-the-airport/

PuraVida
  3/22/2021 11:52 EST

7 persons riding motorcycles were severely injured last night in 4 different areas of CR. https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/accidentes-en-moto-dejan-7-personas-heridas/

ILuvCR
  3/22/2021 14:08 EST

accidents! C.R. has a very high rate of serious accidents and death of motorcyclists.

Fine line between "care-free" and "careless".

And oh by the way the double yellow line in the roadway is NOT the moto's lane.

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PuraVida
  3/23/2021 15:59 EST

The OIJ police have arrested a subject in La Carpio suspected of committing the assaults and robberies along ruta 1 near the airport. He is known as "Pato" and he is a member of the gang 'Los 23'.  Pato has a history of robberies and assaults. The police are looking for several accomplices.  The police have over 80 reports of assaults along ruta 1 near Castella and Rio Virilla during the night. https://www.crhoy.com/nacionales/detienen-a-pato-ligado-con-asaltos-en-la-general-canas/

WeOld
  4/5/2021 12:06 EST

1,044 car crashes! Red Cross paramedics attended 9,588 emergencies between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, popularly referred to as Semana Santa.

According to the statistics of the organization Emergency Operations Center, from midnight Sunday, March 28 to 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 4, they documented 30 people died in accidents and thousands of emergencies were attended. The incidents ranged from:

• 1,044 car crashes.

• 584 people who suffered accidents at home or at the places where they were vacationing.

• 426 people intoxicated.

• 404 weapon attacks.

• 74 water accidents.

• 23 people burned from receiving an electric shock.

• 3 people lost in the mountains.

• 1 person injured during a flight.

amcostarica.com

Trout
  4/20/2021 10:33 EST

New Surveillance Cameras Seek To Reduce Assaults On The General Cañas highway. Devices will be in the dangerous stretch of Autopista, on the Alfredo González Flores (Platina) bridge, near the Pepsi facilities and at the Convention Center on the way to the airport. The cameras will be monitored by the Municipal Police of Heredia.

https://qcostarica.com/new-surveillance-cameras-seek-to-reduce-assaults-the-general-canas/

PuraVida
  4/25/2021 09:11 EST

Starting next Tuesday, April 27, the nighttime sanitary vehicle restrictions will apply from 9:00 pm (and not 11:00 pm) to 5:00 am, including weekends! If this scenario continues, hospital services will be beyond capacity in two weeks and it is foreseen an increase in deaths due to the impossibility of treating all the patients. Businesses are obliged to close at 9:00pm

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