The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE government has undertaken a “comprehensive modernisation” of the country’s “antiquated” Road Traffic Act, Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna Martin has confirmed to Tribune Business.

“A consultant was engaged by the Ministry of Works, which is the executing ministry for the transportation component of the road re-development project funded by the IDB,” Mrs Hanna Martin said yesterday. “Pursuant to his engagement, he, in conjunction with governmental technical stakeholders formed a committee and undertook a review of the Road Traffic Act, which was originally enacted in 1958 with a number of amendments over the years, including most recently amendments to the seatbelt provisions.”

Mrs Hanna Martin said that following the review, the committee engaged stakeholders throughout the country, both governmental and non governmental. “The issues raised formed a wide spectrum, from increasing penalties for causing death in the course of dangerous driving to recommendations on the public service franchise scheme to an enhanced inspection process,” said Mrs Hanna Martin. “Also incorporated into this will be the regulation of driving instructors schools and the gradation of licences.”

She noted that the Office of the Attorney General must now prepare the draft legislation for presentation to Cabinet and Parliament. “This exercise represents a comprehensive modernising of this critical legislation,” said Mrs Hanna Martin.

In April, it was reported that Canadian Neville Weeks, an independent transportation consultant, had been chosen to spearhead the revision of the Road Traffic Act, with a view to modernising the country’s transportation system. The Road Traffic Act has had very few changes since 1958 and Mrs Hanna Martin decried the “antiquated” state of the Road Traffic Department and listed it as a “critical area for reform” given its revenue-generating potential.

According to the minister, the department is the third highest revenue earner in the country.