Motorists face $500,000 ‘bad word’ fine

Transport operators who spew expletives, or ‘bad words’, at an inspector of the Transport Authority (TA) in the lawful conduct of his duties could be slapped with a fine of up to $500,000 or face jail time of up to six months.

This provision is contained in the Transport Authority (Amendment) Act, 2022 which was passed in Gordon House without amendment on Tuesday afternoon.

The legislation states that the “use of abusive or calumnious language to an inspector in the carrying out of the inspector’s duties” would attract a fine or imprisonment.

The bill is part of a suite of legislative measures that will give effect to the Road Traffic Act, 2018.

Discussing the bill at the committee stage, Manchester North Western Member of Parliament Mikael Phillips suggested that the fine was excessive, noting that the maximum amount should be adjusted to $300,000.

However, Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck contended that the fine was intended to be a deterrent.

“In the average where the abuser, the calumnious language is not too loud, I am sure the judge may charge $10,000 or $50,000.

“The truth of the matter is the $500,000 is not only the maximum, but an indication that there is a differing gravity in terms of the abuse and the assault,” Chuck said.

He urged Phillips not to insist on a change in the fine.

However, Phillips pointed out that other breaches involving forgery of documents attracted a fine of $150,000.