Red light for errant drivers

However, commensurate with these legislative measures must be a review of the effectiveness of the policing of traffic offences. The new laws will only have an impact if properly enforced. A public education exercise will have to be undertaken so that all are made aware of the new provisions.

Once the provisions come into effect, obstructing a traffic warden on duty could attract a $10,000 fine and/or six months in prison, and drivers can be charged up to $7,000 for speeding using the red light camera system. Removed as offences but deemed violations will be driving without a seatbelt, which will attract a maximum fine 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.

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. 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.

Overall, the amended Act is to introduce a demerit points system and the reform of the fixed-penalty system and related matters. Some of these measures will be implemented with additional capital expenditure.

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi on Tuesday said the system to track speeding vehicles was already in place to some extent, just awaiting legislation to come into effect. We hope the increased fine will reduce instances of people ignoring traffic wardens who, daily, risk life and limb to do a service to the public. We agree that the current $300 fine is simply not enough of 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. This is also a needed boost.

If there is one area where there is rampant indiscipline in Trinidad and Tobago, it is on our roads. Motorists drive without care for fellow drivers. They place themselves and innocent bystanders at risk by speeding and engaging in unsafe practices.

Daily, there is scant courtesy on the streets. People adopt a dog-eatdog mentality rushing to progress through roads often mired with traffic. Loud blowing of horns by impatient drivers who believe they are being kept back by the vehicle in front of them has become an order of the road, so too road rage.

Pedestrians too are bold-faced in their practices. Some recklessly cross the road (“bounce me nah” being a popular mantra) without regard for oncoming traffic, others with earplugs which make it nearly impossible to detect cars that may be on a collision course with them.

The police will have to enforce the new laws, but they too must take care not to abuse their powers when it comes to the pursuit of official business.

We are heartened road fatalities have shown signs of a 41 per cent decrease for the year so far. But too many people are still dying on the roads. According to Arrive Alive statistics, the largest segment of the population affected is the 25 to 34-year age group. Drivers, passengers and pedestrians have all been affected alike. The new provisions will have to be approved by the House of Representatives and, if they are passed, will come into effect on a date to be determined.

We hope they get the green light as soon as possible.