Passing of Road Traffic Act Regulations Must be Prioritized

We explore the outcomes of the emergency meeting of Parliament on Friday, November 5, to pass the Road Traffic Act or the Road Traffic (Amendment, Validation and Indemnity) Act, 2021, as it relates to fines. What are the legal implications of the move? And how will it affect policing and the motoring public?

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gary Mckenzie and Attorney-at-Law, Gavin Goffe, joined the CVM Live Panel Discussion to share on the topic.

In a response to what would happened in the Supreme Court recently, that would lead to the emergency sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate on Friday, November 5, Mr. Goffe noted that earlier in the week there was an injunction which was granted on opposed by the Government to have the police refrain from issuing traffic tickets in excess of that which is stated in the Road Traffic Act, 1938. He added that some other sources were being used by the police to fine citizens for the over the last 15 years and so essentially the court has put a stop to this. He noted that it was not opposed by the police, possibly because there was a recognition that an amendment was needed.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner, McKenzie noted that the Jamaica Constabulary Force, (JCF) operates base on the directives given through the various Ministries. He noted that as it relates to traffic tickets there there is an option to pay or an option to attend court. He also note that 2018 Act is not been implemented by the force as yet, but have been operating under the previous Act before.