Obstruct a traffic warden? Pay $10,000

Both are among new or revised provisions of the bill to amend the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

The amended act is to introduce a system of traffic violations for certain breaches, and to implement the red light traffic system, a demerit points system, and the reform of the fixed penalty system and related matters.

As the bill proceeded at the Committee stage in the Senate yesterday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said, on the use of the red light camera system to track speeding vehicles, some cameras were already in place and just awaiting the legislation to come into effect.

Noting that people have “wilfully ignored” traffic wardens, he said no one has been imprisoned for obstructing traffic wardens in the execution of their duties. The $300, he said, was not a deterrent.

While the prison term was removed for drag racing on highways without the consent of the commissioner of police, the $2,000 fine was increased to $6,000.

However Al Rawi said when Parliament resumes in September after the recess, he intends to review the fines for some traffic offences.

Amendment has also been approved to increase the penalties for driving without being the holder of a driver’s permit. The fine will be $1,500. Also removed as offences but deemed violations, will be driving without a seatbelt which will attract a fine of a maximum of $8,000, and driving with a child under the age of five without a car seat which would attract a fine of $4,000.

The amended act would also extend the power of the Licensing Authority to refuse to issue a driving permit to a person who has committed a traffic violation.