DID you know that under the Road Traffic Act, drivers must report each change of address within 14 days?

Parliament’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) reviewing the new Road Traffic Bill found this out on Wednesday.

The law requires that once you change your address, you must inform the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) within 14 days. Whereupon, you will be required to not only provide the information, but also pay a fee covering the cost of replacing your current licence.

Chairman of the committee, Dr Omar Davies, was among those ignorant of the fact up to Wednesday, and asked members how many of them knew about the provision. None did. In fact, it appeared that, apart from the representatives of the police traffic department, very few people, including government officials taking part in the review knew.

Committee members strongly opposed the view, however, the police stood firm that it was necessary.

“I believe that once you inform the authority and they have the information, I don’t believe that you need to pay a fee to get a new licence,” said Andre Hylton, MP for Eastern St Andrew.

“I appreciate the fact that you want to be able to find the person, but all you have to do is to say that it is an offence to give the officer a wrong address,” he commented.

The police felt there was an issue where, when the police issue a ticket and it reaches the court, they can’t find the driver because there is an incorrect address on the licence.

Government senator Sophia Frazer-Binns had an issue with the 14 days and suggested instead 30 days.

Opposition Senator Kavan Gayle said that he had no difficulty with the notification, but felt the ITA should absorb the cost of the replacement.

The replacement cost was said to be about $1,000, and the police felt that it was a reasonable amount to pay for a new driver’s licence, after changing addresses.

— Balford Henry