Caption: Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour

By Alicia Chamely

NEWLY accessed data shows a “frightening” level of lawlessness on the nation’s roads, says Minister of Transportation and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour, as he defended the government’s decision to raise traffic fines contrary to what was promised during the United National Congress’ election campaign.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the UNC’s headquarter in Chaguanas, Zakour said before he took up his portfolio, he “did not have access to the operational data, the statistical data,” regarding the behaviours on the nation’s roads.

Zakour said, “The lawlessness is worse than we thought, so the government had to act decisively and put measures in place to protect lives.”

The minister said data showed the previous government’s demerit system had failed to encourage stricter adherence to traffic laws and more needed to be done.

Zakour added that more road technology, such as traffic light cameras, would be rolled out to ensure traffic law compliance as the police could not be everywhere.

He denied the increase in road fines was a method of revenue collection, saying the fine increase was to safeguard the nation’s roads.

Addressing backlash received from the public over the increases, Zakour said, “The only persons who have to worry are the ones who break the law. If you do not break the law, you will be fine.”

He added, “We cannot be subject to a popularity contest when lives are at stake.”

Questioned about the recent crowds at the country’s licensing offices to renew permits, Zakour said, “I’m very shocked to know how much persons are driving on our nation’s roads without valid permits.”

“Its very frightening, it means they don’t have insurance,” he said, “It’s very, very frightening.”

Seeking to clarify public confusion about the cost of renewing one’s driver’s licence, he said the base cost had not changed and the new higher cost only applied to drivers who failed to renew their permits within the legal threshold.

He said according to Section 61 of the amended legislation, drivers whose permits had expired for more than six months but less than three years now must pay $1,750, up from $875.

Zakour said, drivers whose permits had expired for three to five years now had to pay $3,500, up from $1,750.

He said the increase in fines had triggered a surge of compliance by the driving public, with close to 1,000 people visiting the various licensing offices to renew their permits, some of which had expired for years.

Zakour said he was aware of “glitches” in the systems at the licensing offices and his ministry was working to have them addressed as soon as possible.

He said through the modernisation of the Licensing Authority more online services would become available.

Zakour said, “Currently, persons could go online to renew their certified copy. You no longer have to go into the various licensing offices. You could choose to collect at TTConnect locations, or you can choose delivery at home. Very soon we will be launching the online fixed penalty-system where persons could pay their fixed penalties in the comfort of their homes.”