The Tribune

LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson has called for stricter traffic laws relating to hit and runs.

His comments came after a jogger was killed during a hit and run in Cable Beach last week.

Mr Gibson said he was also the victim of a hit and run, but thankfully was not hurt even though his car was damaged.

“Mr Speaker, I was the victim of a hit and run on Tuesday,” Mr Gibson said Thursday, while speaking in the House of Assembly in a debate on the Financial Transactions Reporting Bill and the Proceeds of Crime Bill.

“I was driving west along West Bay Street, near St Alban’s Drive when a black/dark blue Nissan Teana, driven by a dark male drove out of the yard of a nearby business place and sped head-on into me. Then the driver reversed his vehicle and sped along Bay Street heading east, notwithstanding the fact that witnesses were clearly on site and it was recorded by video cameras. Physically, I’m fine; thank God the driver’s side is to the right. However, my car has been seriously damaged.

Mr Gibson then spoke about the death of the jogger on West Bay Street after a hit and run.

He said his experience and the woman's death shows the need to strengthen the laws as it relates to hit and runs.

“A police officer told me of the thousands of uninsured drivers on our roads and the need to clamp down on that, even if it means having serious and frank conversations with the insurance companies relative to their processes.

“Unquestionably, the vehicular licencing processes must be reviewed.

People must know that there will be consequences for such barbarous, inhuman acts. This is becoming too frequent. It is as if some people have no moral code, no moral centre, no sense of right and wrong, no sense of decency.”

Concerning the bills which were being debated last week, Mr Gibson said he supports the legislation but said they would only be successful if enforced.

“We have always been weak in the pursuit of white collar crimes. These bills — and their enforcement — will tighten the noose around those businesses and persons who participate in the same but get away scot-free.”

He added the following suggestions: “Mr Speaker, the unexplained wealth order aspect of the Proceeds of Crime Bill demonstrates a flexibility that traverses both the civil and the criminal law. I appreciate that; however, I urge that — given the extent of the section — it should be applied with the greatest caution, ensuring that checks and balances are evident in line with the Constitution.

“Whilst at it, Mr Speaker, I also say that the applicability of the new legislation relative to attorneys — must align with an attorney-client confidentiality as set out in the Bar Code of Ethics and is codified by the Constitution.”

The Proceeds of Crime Bill was sparked by weaknesses identified in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s assessment of the country’s anti-money laundering defences last year.

Among other things, the bill will allow authorities to target the wealth of civil servants, politicians, their relatives and suspected criminals who live beyond their legal income.

The two bills are meant to clamp down on corruption and crime.