St. Mary Parish Court Hosts Traffic Symposium

Scores of St. Mary residents and road users benefited from a comprehensive traffic symposium staged by the Parish Court, in collaboration with several key stakeholders.

Under the theme ‘Share the road, empowering traffic users, share the knowledge with the community’, the event was held at the Court House on January 8 and served as an information session where residents were able to have their questions answered and received important information from the high-level presenters.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Court Administration Division, Tricia Cameron-Anglin, addressing the event, said that the prevalence of traffic offenders in the parish is a hindrance to various sectors and that the Symposium is a crucial step in educating road users and steering compliance.

“Across the parish of St. Mary, we are seeing a significant amount of motorists who are carrying multiple traffic tickets – some unresolved for years. Outstanding matters create challenges for the court system but also for individuals, for families, for businesses, and for the wider community,” Mrs. Cameron-Anglin said.

She applauded the St. Mary Parish Court for being pioneers in staging the symposium, which is the first of its kind, and providing “a practical, accessible opportunity for persons to come forward, have their matters heard, understand their obligations under the law, and move forward with a clean slate”.

She lauded the event as an important investment in the development of the parish of St. Mary, noting that road safety is a driver of economic growth.

“For a parish like St. Mary, where transportation is critical to commerce, to agriculture, tourism, and daily life, road safety and compliance directly affect economic activity. When the roads are safer, businesses operate more efficiently. When drivers are compliant, goods move more reliably. When accidents are reduced, productivity increases and costs decrease,” the CEO said.

For his part, Chief Judge of the St. Mary Parish Court, Hon. Brodrick Smith, also underscored the importance of the event in educating road users. “Knowledge of the law is key to compliance, fairness, and safety,” he emphasised.

He argued that by “sharing the knowledge with the community,” the Judiciary’s role as a partner in national development, public safety, and good governance is being reinforced.

“Let us continue to work collectively towards safer roads, informed citizens, and a justice system that is accessible, responsible, and forward-thinking,” Mr. Smith said.

In the meantime, CEO Cameron-Anglin told the residents that they have taken the right step.

“Coming forward demonstrates responsibility. It demonstrates respect for the law and it demonstrates a willingness to do better for yourself, for your family, and for your community to begin 2026. The court is here to listen. The court is here to apply the law fairly. And the court is here to ensure that justice is administered with both firmness and understanding,” she said.

There were also speakers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Tax Administration Jamaica, Transport Authority of Jamaica, Island Traffic Authority, and the National Works Agency.