THE Demerit Points System introduced by the former government will be scrapped announced Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
The government was taking several new measures, including scrapping the system introduced by the former minister of works and transport Rohan Sinanan.
Persad-Bissessar made the announcement while speaking at her first post-Cabinet media briefing held at the Red House in Port of Spain on Thursday.
The Demerit Points System introduced as law in 2020, is a system used to track and improve driver behaviour by assigning points to drivers’ records for certain traffic violations and offences. The system aims to enhance road safety, reduce accidents and fatalities, and detect repeat offenders.
Last month, Sinanan announced that reviews of the system was coming.
Persad-Bissessar also outlined some of the initiatives that will be worked on immediately.
This includes “Stand Your Ground” laws and home invasion laws.
A special committee will be established to evaluate and make proposals for an effective suite of measure to enable citizens to defend and their property when faced with threats from criminal elements and a separate committee will be established to consider approaches to combat home invasions and the development of appropriate legislative sanctions to combat such.
Additionally, there will also be a review of the laws relating to firearm usage.
“We will be reviewing shortly, firearm license laws. Remember we’ve said we will consider giving legal firearms to law-abiding citizens, but they will only be given to persons who want it,” Persad-Bissessar said.
She added, “I see some people complaining. No, if you don’t want it, just don’t apply. Law-abiding citizens, please apply. We will have regulations and criteria to determine to whom it shall be given.”
The prime minister also mentioned that the security detail for some persons will be reduced.
“I have instructed the Minister of Homeland Security to provide a list of all persons benefiting from state-funded security, both state security and private…I plan to redirect most of these resources towards the fight against crime, so many of these unnecessary security details will be cut out,” Persad-Bissessar said.
Additionally, Persad-Bissessar also said there will measures to cut state-funded housing and vehicle privileges for government officials.
She said, “I have also requested a listing of government officials being supplied with state-funded housing to see where we can cut some costs. I have directed to stop all requests for state-funded housing for my cabinet members…The country is not that big, they can drive to work from their homes.”
Persad-Bissessar said she also directed her ministers, “Don’t ask for no state-funded housing, please.”
She said, “The country is not so large that you need to have a house in Port of Spain paid for by taxpayers. There are people who don’t even have a house, and you want to have two? Ministers have a housing allowance, if you want a house in town, go and pay your own rent.”
On vehicle tax concessions, Persad-Bissessar said, “I have also directed that an assessment be done to cap the maximum price on vehicles that parliamentarians can purchase using their tax breaks.”
