Amendments to Road Traffic Act about behaviour change, not revenue - Johnson Smith

Livern Barrett, Parliamentary Reporter

Government Senator Kamina Johnson Smith says that the latest changes to the proposed new road-traffic legislation are not about earning revenue.

Johnson Smith asserted, too, that the Government is not seeking to play politics or  to target taxi operators through the six amendments related mainly to traffic offences captured by electronic devices.

"This is to ensure that all users of the road can operate in a safe space," said Johnson Smith as she opened the debate on the Road Traffic Act 2018 in the Senate today.

The proposed law seeks to repeal and replace the Road Traffic Act 1938.

The six amendments were included when the bill was passed by the Lower House last month.

Johnson Smith, who is also the minister of foreign affairs, said that the proposed legislation is aimed at modifying driver behaviour to end the impunity on the nation's roadways.

Since the start of the year, over 340 persons have died in motor vehicle crashes, an increase of nearly 14 per cent when compared to the corresponding period last year.

"We have to take hold of the indiscipline culture (on the roads).  We have to send a message that this stops now," Johnson Smith said.

The Jamaica Association of Transport Owners and Operators, which represents operators of public-transport vehicles, has objected to the latest amendments to the road-traffic legislation, arguing that it is unfair to penalise vehicle owners for the actions of the drivers of those vehicles.

But Johnson Smith disagreed, pointing to the use of technology to capture traffic offences in other countries.

"So, some owners will have to think about how they engage 'shotta' drivers," she said.

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