Government Considers Temporary Suspension of Certain Traffic Offences Amidst Public Concerns

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the government is considering temporarily suspending the enforcement of certain traffic offences and removing specific infractions from the traffic ticket management system.

This consideration comes in response to public concerns regarding the regulations of the new Road Traffic Act.

Among the issues raised by the public are unfair tickets for using cell phones while driving and the application of demerit points for certain offences.

To address these concerns, an operationalisation committee will be established to guide the development of the plan, with the final deliberations on the amendments expected to be completed and presented to parliament within the next two months.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister has indicated that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has issued new directives to police officers regarding cell phone usage while driving.

According to an advisory from the JCF, drivers should only be prosecuted if they are holding or actively engaging with a device.

This includes using a device while in a live traffic lane, even if stopped at a traffic light.

Additionally, drivers can be prosecuted for using mounted devices that display live images.

The police high command has also communicated that it is addressing any misapplications of the law through internal communications and guidance to officers. Police officers who fail to comply with the new guidelines will face disciplinary action.

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