Landmark Road Safety Initiative Launched in Trinidad and Tobago (1)

Landmark Road Safety Initiative Launched In Trinidad and Tobago
 
By Proclamation, under the hand of Her Excellency, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, amendments to the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act (MVRTA), 2017 were brought into effect on May 26th 2020. This proclamation allows for the implementation of a Demerit Points System, New Traffic Ticketing System and Red Light Camera Enforcement System in Trinidad and Tobago.
With effect from May 27^th 2020:

1. Errant drivers in violation of offences and violations found in the 9th Schedule of the MVRTA  can  have Demerit Points recorded on their  driving records; 

2. Errant drivers who accumulate the maximum threshold of Demerit Points, according to the law, can have their driving license suspended for a specified period; 

3. Drivers issued traffic tickets May 27th 2020 and onwards, can utilise 12 convenient TTPOST locations nationwide to pay traffic fines. Forms of payment include Cash and  LINX;

4. Persons with traffic tickets before May 27th 2020, are required to pay their fines utilising the system identified by the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago;

5. Persons who wish to file a Notice to Contest for a traffic ticket issued from May 27th and onwards must do so via the  online portal- https://contest.ttlawcourts.org;

The public is advised that the Red Light Camera Enforcement System will go live at a later date to be announced.
The changes listed above, inclusive of the legislative amendments, technological upgrades and systemic improvements, have been designed to bring about greater levels of convenience for the general public along with efficiency and connectivity among the Licensing Division, Law Enforcement and the Judiciary.
 It is poised to significantly improve the entire administrative process in the management of driver behaviour and will serve as a landmark revolutionary road safety initiative ever to take place in the history of our nation, with the focused goal of reducing road traffic injuries and fatalities.
 
DEMERIT POINTS SYSTEM 
The Demerit Points System is primarily a road rehabilitation initiative for habitual traffic violators geared towards improving the existing road culture of Trinidad and Tobago. It encourages national road safety and will ultimately improve the standard of driving in Trinidad and Tobago by reducing incidents of road traffic accidents and fatalities. The system was designed to detect and rehabilitate repeat traffic offenders through rehabilitative driving programmes.
This change is a shift from the “fine-only” approach, as fines alone tend to favour those who can easily afford to pay them. However, this system is more even-handed as it gets to the core of the problem by identifying errant drivers, imposing sanctions such as permit suspension and enforcing participation in rehabilitation programmes to bring about behavioural change before regaining driving privileges.
Other critical points on the new Demerit Points System are listed as follows:

• Demerit points are electronically calculated and recorded on a driver’s driving record.

• Everyone starts with zero (0) demerit points.

• A person can accumulate demerit points for committing multiple traffic violations and offences  listed in the Ninth Schedule of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act ;

• The more traffic violations or offences that are committed such as speeding, unauthorised use of the Priority Bus Route, or driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), the more demerit points are electronically accumulated on a person’s driving permit record.

• Drivers have been categorised into two groupings :

• Newly Licensed Driver or Provisional Permit Holder - An individual who has held a driving permit for 12 months or less.

• Experienced Driver - An individual who has held their driving permit for a period of 12 months or more. 

• Depending on the total amount of demerit points accumulated within a specified period, based on the type of driver (experienced or new), a driver can have his or her license suspended.

• To regain the privilege to drive, a driver must participate in a rehabilitation programme, re-sit and pass a driving test and regulation exam and pay the prescribed fee for the re-issue of their driving permit.

For more information on the Demerit Points System, please visit www.drivingtt.com. 
 
NEW TRAFFIC TICKETING SYSTEM 
The New Fixed Penalty Traffic Ticketing System brings a far more modernised and efficient approach to traffic law enforcement in Trinidad and Tobago.  Through the use of technology, the UTURN platform will allow the Licensing Division, the Judiciary, the Police Service, and the Tobago Postal Corporation to connect, collaborate and instantly access and share information effectively. This improved connectivity will positively transform the administration of justice, promote that advancement of national security and encourage greater safety for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. 
Features of the new Fixed Penalty Traffic Ticketing Systems:

•  Decriminalisation of a wide range of traffic offences into traffic violations;

• Introduction of an electronic traffic ticketing system (E-tickets);

•  New cashless methods for paying traffic ticket fines via cash,  LINX and soon Credit Card;

• Convenient options to pay traffic tickets within 30days  at authorised TTPOST locations nationwide; 

• Contest a traffic ticket within 15 days by scheduling a court hearing online via- contest.ttlawcourts.org;

• Reduced traffic matters and greater efficiency within the Court system; 

• Improve law enforcement in the fight against crime and corruption; and, 

• Easy and instant access to traffic tickets and demerit points information via apps.mowt.gov.tt.

Authorised TTPOST Payment Outlets

 
This system now provides for the administrative settlement of traffic and road offences without having to go through the court system; a major benefit that will lead to a significant reduction in the backlog of pending cases before the Courts.  Traffic matters now represent 60.4 % of all matters filed at the Magistracy.  This will create, for the Courts additional time and resources to tend to other important issues related to Criminal Capital, Criminal non Capital, Family and Domestic Violence cases.
Escalated Fee Structure 
Another significant introduction to the new Fixed Penalty Traffic Ticketing System is the feature of escalated fines for non-payment of traffic tickets. Tickets must be paid within 30 days of issuance.  Thereafter, the fine for a traffic violation increases by 25 % for the period of 14 days.  In the event that a person fails to pay the escalated fine, an additional 25% will be added to the escalated fee. 
An example follows:

 
If a ticket remains unpaid, the Licensing Division is now empowered to impose administrative sanctions such as:

1. Suspending the driving permit of the driver or owner of the vehicle 

2. Suspending all transactions with the driver or owner of the vehicle  

3. Suspending all transactions with the vehicle involved in the commission of the traffic violation.

The Ministry anticipates that these novel systemic approaches will work synergistically to make a positive impact on the road culture of Trinidad and Tobago as we work toward reducing our road fatalities to zero and modernising our Licensing Division. 
For further information on the Demerit Points and Reform Fixed Penalty Ticketing System, please visit www.drivingtt.com.


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