Police Empowered to Ticket for Careless Driving

The public is being reminded that under the new Road Traffic Act, the police is empowered to ticket a motorist for careless driving.

“Under the old Act, the police could not issue a ticket for careless driving; that has changed so that the police can now issue a ticket. Someone can actually pay a fine or attend court for that offence,” said Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie.

He was speaking on the JIS discussion programme Get the Facts, recently, where he outlined some of the crucial amendments to the Road Traffic Act and Regulations, which were implemented on February 1, 2023.

ACP McKenzie said that the legislation is meant to protect the motoring public and pedestrians.

He noted that there is a demerit system where a driver can attract penalty points for committing certain offences.

“For example, if you disobey a continuous white line, there are two points that are attached to that. Now those point are registered on your driver’s licence when you pay the fine or if you go to court and is convicted,” he noted.

The points will be removed after 15 months, as long as fewer than 10 points are earned during the period.

ACP McKenzie said that there are circumstances under which persons can have their licence suspended.

“Now, it is very important for motorists to know that if you attract 10 [to13] points, then your licence will be suspended for six months, and if it goes to 14 [to19] then it’s one year [suspension],” he informed.

“There are some offences that it goes straight to one year [suspension]. So, say for example, you are charged for driving with excess alcohol on your breath. If you are convicted it is automatically 14 points, so your driver’s licence will be suspended for one year,” ACP McKenzie explained.