Vaz warns traffic ticket backlog may not clear before October 1

Transport Minister Daryl Vaz has warned that Jamaica may be unable to resolve more than one million outstanding traffic tickets before the administrative demerit points system comes into force on October 1.

Addressing Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing, Vaz said approximately 1.1 million traffic tickets remain unsettled. The backlog could expose a large number of motorists to penalties when the new system is introduced.

The minister outlined several practical and legal obstacles affecting the clearance effort. These include the volume of pending traffic matters, the number of judicial and administrative personnel available, and space constraints within the courts. Traffic offences must also generally be dealt with in the parish where they occurred, further limiting how quickly cases can be processed.

Vaz said a group comprising key stakeholders has been assembled to identify a workable response. He indicated that, although proposals for clearing the backlog may appear effective in principle, completing the task within the available period would be extremely difficult with existing resources.

Despite those concerns, Vaz said the Government would not allow pressure surrounding the unresolved tickets to force a delay in the demerit points programme.

Work will continue with the judiciary to assess whether more judicial personnel can be assigned, administrative assistance can be strengthened and traffic court capacity can be increased. Longer court sittings are also being considered where they are practical.

The authorities are simultaneously examining possible transitional amendments to the law. Vaz said any legislative measures would need to establish a fair, open and legally sound process for eligible older cases without weakening the Road Traffic Act.

The minister also announced that Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Bryan has been appointed Director General of the Island Traffic Authority. Bryan will be responsible for supervising the authority's modernisation programme and its road safety initiatives.