Tougher Road Laws a Step Closer

The Government is a step closer to implementing more stringent regulations to govern the use of the nation’s roads.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, said a Joint Select Committee of Parliament, looking at the new Road Traffic Act, has completed its deliberations.

He was making his contribution to the 2015/16 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 28.

Under the new Road Traffic Act, stiffer penalties will be meted out to individuals, who disobey the road rules. The Act is expected to be passed during the current financial year.

Dr. Guy noted that while a commitment was made to implement the Act in fiscal year 2014/15, “the deliberations of the Joint Select Committee were more extensive than I anticipated, due to the fact that the committee felt that the far-reaching implications warranted more time.”

He told the House that the Ministry has completed the Road Code, which will be made available to the public in electronic and print format.

“This will allow all road users to have the information necessary to guide their behaviour on the roads,” he said.

Dr. Guy further informed that a mandatory training programme for motor vehicle driving instructors and road traffic regulators is being finalised.