Today, two critical components of the Ministry of Works and Transport’s U-Turn System go into effect.
In the latest ambitious attempt to transform T&T’s driving culture, a new traffic ticketing and demerit point system is being deployed across an ICT platform to facilitate greater enforcement and compliance.
Months of testing and public sensitisation are being put to the test as this aspect of the new system goes live.
This is arguably one of the most revolutionary updates to T&T’s Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act.
Under the demerit system, certain traffic offences and violations now carry prescribed demerit points, in addition to other stipulated penalties. These will range from two to a maximum of 14 demerit points being added to the errant motorist’s record at the Licensing Authority.
The new ticketing system gives drivers the option of going to numerous approved places to pay their fines rather than the old time consuming and frustrating process at magistrates’ courts, which was a major contributor to the backlog of traffic cases in the courts.
Non-payment of a traffic ticket will now have adverse consequences, including escalating the size of the fine and ultimately suspension of the driver’s permit.
This all seems good in practice but the true test of the effectiveness of this new system begins today.
When plans for this new system were first announced many months ago, there were mixed public reactions. Some chafed against what was regarded as needlessly punitive measures, including significant increases in fines. Others saw it as the only means of curbing lawless and reckless behaviour on the nation’s roads. But there has hardly ever been an instance where some effort to modernise systems and practices hasn’t been met with resistance.
U-Turn ability to transform T&T’s driving culture was highlighted by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi when he wound up debate on the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill in the Senate a few weeks ago.
The AG said the use of devices to enforce the speed limit laws had brought about profound changes, as had the introduction of breathalyser and seatbelt laws.
What is not in dispute is the need to make the country’s roads safer. There have been improvements, as data from the Traffic & Highway Patrol Branch Roadway Surveillance Unit (RSU) of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) shows that last year there was a reduction in fatal road traffic accidents ---102 fatalities compared to 110 in 2018.
However, there was an increase in the number of road deaths from 118 in 2018 to 121 last year, representing a 3 per cent increase.
But behavioural change is only one element, albeit the most important, in reducing road traffic accidents. Upgrades are urgently needed to significant parts of the road network where dilapidated roads, poor lighting and other infrastructural deficiencies are as dangerous as reckless driving.