Gov't chases billions from fleeing motorists

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

The Government is owed a whopping $2 billion in outstanding traffic fines by some Jamaicans who have flouted road laws.

The disclosure was made by National Security Minister Dwight Nelson at the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament on Tuesday night.

Nelson said a new ticket system which has been put in place was proceeding smoothly, but said the authorities have stumbled upon obstacles in raking in outstanding fees.

awaiting advice

The minister said his ministry has sought legal advice from the solicitor general's office to devise strategies to reach errant motorists who have steered clear of paying the fees they have incurred.

"... So we are now awaiting advice from the solicitor general to put in place process to collect the money," Nelson said.

The minister did not rule out a system of amnesty to collect the outstanding sum, but stressed that he was awaiting legal advice on this idea.

In response to concerns that there was no budgetary allocation for new vehicles for the police, Nelson referred to $298 million which was set aside for repairs of the existing motor vehicles.

"There are 400 vehicles in the transport and repairs section of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in need of various forms of repair," Nelson said.

"We are hoping that the $298 million will be able to rehabilitate a significant number of vehicles to bring them back on the road."

He noted that hundreds of new vehicles were added to the fleet in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, including 50 in the last month.