The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet Minister yesterday said  she expects to table legislation to reform the Bahamas’ antiquated Road Traffic Act in Parliament this year, with changes focusing on vehicle inspection, licensing criteria and offences.

Speaking with Tribune Business yesterday, Glenys Hanna-Martin said: “The work is ongoing. A draftsman was brought in on contract by the Attorney General’s Office, and one of his specific duties is the amendment of the Road Traffic Act.

“He put together all of the observations made by the stakeholders. The draftsman is meeting with our technical people and they are going through each  provision, looking at the recommendations coming out of that report. The final draft is supposed to take the legislation into the 21st century.”

   The Road Traffic Act  was originally enacted in 1958, with a number of amendments made over the years, including most recently to the seatbelt provisions.

Canadian Neville Weeks, an independent transportation consultant, was chosen to spearhead the revision of the Road Traffic Act, with a view to modernising the country’s transportation system.

“We are looking at offences which include vehicular manslaughter and that sort of thing,” the Transport and Aviation Minister said.

“They are going to look at inspection, the state of a vehicle on the street, how to enhance safety on the road, public transport, the criteria for various licenses and whether we should keep the current descriptions or whether we should change them. As we speak they are meeting and the draftsman is dealing with this.”

Mrs Hanna-Martin added: “I am expecting to bring that legislation to Parliament this year. The whole objective is to achieve efficiency in public transport and safety.”