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Motorists Urged to Ensure Vehicles are Roadworthy

By: , May 21, 2014

The Key Point:

Owners and operators of motor vehicles are warned to ensure that their vehicles are of roadworthy standard at all times.
Motorists Urged to Ensure Vehicles are Roadworthy
Photo: Donald Delahaye
Director of the Island Traffic Authority, Ludlow Powell explaining the processes involved in the certification of motor vehicles.

The Facts

  • A vehicle could become unfit at any time based on road conditions and/or weather conditions.
  • Although the fitness period ranges from six months to a year, circumstances can change the status of the vehicle before the expiration of that period.

The Full Story

Director of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), Ludlow Powell is reminding owners and operators of motor vehicles to ensure that their vehicles are of roadworthy standard at all times.

In an interview with JIS News, he explained that a vehicle could become unfit at any time based on road conditions and/or weather conditions and that although the fitness period is six months for public passenger vehicles and one year for all others, extenuating circumstances can change the status of the vehicle before the expiration of that period.

The ITA Director said that the ITA is tasked with administering the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, which redound to the safety of all road users.

“The main role of the authority is to ensure road safety through the inspection and certification of motor vehicles for road worthiness and through the certification of all drivers in Jamaica” he said.

Mr. Powell explained that officers of the ITA in a quest to keep Jamaican roads safe do regular spot checks to ensure that vehicles are road worthy.

He pointed out that the police, though not empowered to make judgements on the fitness of a vehicle are authorised to take a vehicle to an ITA motor vehicle examination depot to be tested if there is reasonable suspicion that the vehicle is not roadworthy.

He emphasised that the ITA is empowered to remove a vehicle that is deemed to be unfit from the road even if it is not due to return to the depot for fitness testing for a while.

He explained that wear and tear on vehicles can lead to serious problems and that drivers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their vehicles.

Last Updated: May 21, 2014

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