In The Driver’s Seat – The Road Traffic Regulations, 2022
January 23, 2023
The Full Story
The Road Traffic Regulations 2022 will take effect on February 1, 2023.
It is important to note and follow the provisions under the Regulations.
Traffic Tickets
- The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) will use electronic detection devices, such as cameras, installed on or near major roads, to detect traffic offences, such as speeding, disobeying traffic signals and operating vehicles without a licence, insurance, or fitness certificate. Owners of these vehicles will be contacted and issued a ticket.
- Law enforcement officers will also check the status of drivers who they stop during routine checks. Traffic tickets will be electronically produced and issued to drivers. Effective February 1, 2023, traffic tickets will no longer be written.
- If drivers have any unpaid tickets, the electronic system will also alert the police officer who will then be able to make an arrest and/or seize the vehicle.
- Under the new Road Traffic Act, drivers with outstanding traffic tickets will not be able to transfer titles of vehicles, renew driver’s licences, or pay fitness and registration fees. Previously, drivers with accumulated traffic tickets were still able to conduct such business at the tax office.
Demerit System
An accumulation of traffic tickets for various offences, including speeding, will now result in demerit points added to the driver’s licence. After 15 months, if a driver has accumulated demerit points that are less than those required for a suspension of the licence, then the points will expire and the record cleared.
| Offences | Penalties | Procedures to Get Back Licence |
| 10-14 demerit points over a 12-month period (for speeding offence) | Licence will be suspended and/or payment of fines | Complete training on the dangers of speeding by a certified driving instructor.
Pass a written test administered by the ITA.
|
| 14-20 demerit points over a 12-month period (for speeding offence) | Licence will be suspended/payment of fines | Complete training on the dangers of speeding by a certified driving instructor.
Pass a written test administered by the ITA.
Pass a driving test administered by the ITA.
|
Tyre Requirements
The condition of the tyres on a motor vehicle is another area addressed in the Road Traffic Regulations, 2022. Tyres must not be worn or so damaged that the fabric used in the construction of the tyre is exposed. Each tyre on the vehicle across its breadth and around its entire circumference must have a pattern which is clearly visible and has a tread of at least 1.6 millimetres in depth.
Motorcycle tyres must also have a tread depth of at least 0.8 millimetres.
Learner’s Permits
Applicants for learner permits will be asked to produce a medical certificate, along with the usual requirements. Drivers over 70 years old who are renewing their driver’s licence will also be required to have a medical certificate to prove that they are fit to operate a vehicle.
Let’s continue to stay safe on our roads!
To view the Road Traffic Regulations, 2022 please visit: https://japarliament.gov.jm/attachments/article/339/Road-Traffic-Regulations-May-20–2022—complete.pdf.
For additional information, contact:
Island Traffic Authority
38H Maxfield Avenue
Kingston 10
Tel: 876-754-1900-1/876-754-2590-3
Email: ps@mtw.gov.jm
Website: https://mtm.gov.jm/ita
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