Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner says newly appointed traffic wardens would help in the fight against crime. The statement was made during the graduation ceremony for the first 77 wardens to be appointed at the Centre of Excellence, yesterday. Warner said more and more drivers are acting with impunity on the nation's roadways, even ignoring the recent ban against using cellphones while driving.
"Traffic wardens would assist the police with effectively enforcing traffic regulations so police officers would be able to fight crime in high risk areas." The wardens graduated after six weeks of training by past and present members of the police service. Under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act wardens were appointed by the Police Commissioner to assist with enforcing traffic laws but were not given the power to arrest violators.
Warner instructed them to assist his ministry in enforcing new traffic regulations and also to attend court whenever they may be needed to testify on matters they are involved in. Traffic wardens would be initially assigned to Port-of-Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas and Penal during their initial on the job training exercises. The scheme was conceptualised in 1993 with the assistance of London's Metropolitan Police. Warner was also critical of drivers that park illegally in the nation's cities and agreed somewhat with Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing's recent wrecking scheme. "Sometimes it is necessary to fight fire with fire, illegal activity with illegal actions," he said.
"Now, you (traffic wardens) should go out and legally issue tickets and fines to persons who park illegally in cities, boroughs and towns." he said. Warner said he also plans to go to cabinet with recommendations to refuse the renewal of the licences of drivers who fail to pay tickets for traffic offences. In closing, he advised the wardens to treat and deal with the public fairly when executing their duties in attempt to gain public confidence and respect in them. A further 223 wardens are to be trained under the first scheme of the traffic warden initiative.