?Head of the Northern Division, Snr Supt Rajendranath Maharaj, is issuing a warning to errant motorists that if they think they could break traffic laws and get away with it, they should think again.
This warning comes moments after a 29-year-old maxi-taxi driver of Tecoma Boulevard, La Horquetta, was slapped with fines totalling $9,000 and disqualified from driving for a month by an Arima magistrate after pleading guilty to a string of traffic offences Wednesday.
Sherwin Taitt stood before third court magistrate, Cheron Raphael, charged with breach of the traffic lights, driving without a driver's permit, failing to produce a DP, dangerous and inconsiderate driving and improper overtaking.
He was arrested in the vicinity of the Licensing Office, Arima, after Maharaj pursued him along the Priority Bus Route, moments after he (Taitt) overtook a line of traffic and broke the traffic lights last Saturday. At the time of the incident, Taitt was driving a 25-seater red band maxi-taxi. During an interview, Maharaj said there were too many accidents on the PBR and other roads and major intersections when motorists break the lights and violate other traffic laws.
He said the issue must be dealt with in a severe manner which would send a message to unsuspecting offenders that no matter how petty the offence may appear to be, it would not be tolerated. "We observe what is taking place on the PBR especially with motorists who are breaking the traffic lights without regard for the law and human life. We are going to be taking note of that and once caught, they would feel the full brunt of the law." The charges were laid by PC Ronald Ramdeen of the Arima CID.
