Indemnity Amendment to Road Traffic Legislation Gets Approval

A rare emergency sitting of Parliament convened on Friday, November 5, to tackle what is seemingly now an issue with the legislation for road traffic fines. The Road Traffic Amendment, Validation and Indemnity Act, 2021 was tabled and passed in the Lower House Friday, November 5, and was taken through all its stages.

This as the Supreme Court has granted an injunction, restraining the state from imposing traffic tickets in excess of fines up to 2006 rates. The bill seeks to amend the act providing indemnity to officers who have issued traffic tickets in excess of what the existing law allows for. The Opposition is of the view that this is a rushed exercise to address the critical issue.

In 2018 Parliament approved a new road traffic act to replace the 1938 legislation. Three years later and that legislation has not yet been brought into effect as the regulations are not ready. Increased road traffic fines were however imposed on motorists in 2006 and 2007 under the provisional collection of taxes act by then Minister of Finance, Dr. Omar Davies.

On Friday Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, sought an explanation and clarity behind the urgency of the unorthodox sitting of parliament. The matter takes into consideration motorists who have been paying fines exceeding the rate which were in force 15 years ago. Other members of Parliament weighed in.

More in this CVM Live story from Robian Williams: