Jamaica to make changes to traffic laws

(CMR) As the Cayman Islands Government signals changes to traffic laws, persons traveling to Jamaica could also see changes to that country's road traffic laws when new traffic regulations go into effect there.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has indicated that it will be taking a zero-tolerance approach with people who drive and use their cell phones and those who drive without insurance when adjustments to the country's new road traffic laws come into effect.

Under the new laws, motorists will not only be ticketed by the police for offenses, but an electronic system will see drivers prosecuted if caught breaking the law on camera.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is encouraging motorists to begin making early adjustments to the requirements under the new Regulations of the Road Traffic Act 2018.

Head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch of the JCF, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary McKenzie, warned drivers, especially those operating public passenger vehicles (PPVs), to be aware of the changes to the laws and make the necessary changes, Jamaica Observer reported.

He said that the use of cellular phone handsets while driving is a distraction, and he encouraged drivers to make the necessary changes to facilitate hands-free telephone usage in their vehicles.

“Let us start to do that so that once we start to impose the new regulations, people will not say that they didn't know that they could not drive and use cell phones,” he added.

ACP McKenzie also pointed out that motor vehicle owners are going to be held responsible for infractions, even when they are not drivers,  especially when the electronic enforcement system starts to work.

“Start to speak to your drivers because you will find that as owners, you are going to feel the brunt of it,” McKenzie said.

Under the new regulations, vehicles that are not insured will be seized by the police, as when these vehicles are in accidents, victims are left without compensation.

“So, I am very happy that the authorities have seen fit to remove those vehicles [from the roadways], and it is very important that we take these things into consideration as we go forward,” he stated, according to the Observer.