Caption: Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Photo: T&T Parliament
By Prior Beharry
PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says there will be no reduction in traffic fines despite public backlash over a recent surge in tickets, but her Government is preparing new legislation that would give motorists a short window to fix certain vehicle defects before penalties apply.
But she also noted that a small number of policemen and traffic wardens have been abusing the ticketing system.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Persad-Bissessar said the spike in violations pointed to “widespread disregard for the law,” arguing many of those ticketed were not surprised because they already knew their vehicles had defects or their documents were expired.
At the same time, she said she understood the complaints being raised, recalling a pledge made when she was sworn in as prime minister that she would not be detached from the public’s concerns.
Still, she rejected calls for relief, insisting enforcement will continue. “There will absolutely be NO REDUCTION in traffic fines and strict enforcement will continue until these reforms are made… it does not matter if you are UNC, PNM or any other grouping… if you break the traffic laws, ANYBODY GETS IT!!!” she wrote.
Persad-Bissessar said the Government will go to Parliament “in the coming weeks” with a proposed Fixed Penalty Notice Warning System, allowing drivers time to remedy some defects listed in the Ninth Schedule before a ticket becomes enforceable. The plan sets either a three-day or seven-day compliance period depending on the seriousness of the issue.
Under the proposed three-day period are items such as missing number-plate identification lights, missing or defective lights including headlamps and tail lights, absent horns or rear-view mirrors, unauthorised lights or lettering, required notices for left-hand-drive vehicles, advertisements on taxi windows, taxis lacking passenger-capacity markings, vehicles missing Tare and Maximum Gross Weight markings, vehicles without silencers, and the absence of a spare tyre in public service vehicles.
A seven-day warning would apply to more serious concerns, including damaged windscreens and other defective fittings, excessive smoke or vapour emissions, noisy vehicles, and broken or non-functional windscreen wipers.
Under the system, fines would take effect only if a driver fails to correct the defect within the allotted time.
The prime minister said the move is intended to protect law-abiding citizens while keeping pressure on “genuine traffic delinquency.”
She also claimed the government has been advised that “a small minority of traffic wardens, licensing officers and TTPS officers have been abusing the ticketing system and terrorising law-abiding citizens,” adding that both delinquent drivers and misbehaving officers will be dealt with.
