KINGSTON, Jamaica – Motorists who are too impatient to allow a funeral procession to pass before driving through could be fined or imprisoned after the new Road Traffic Bill takes effect.

According to the Bill’s schedule, “driving or attempting to drive across (a) funeral procession” will carry a fine of $10,000 and, in default of payment, 15 days imprisonment.

It is among the issues comprehensively covered in the new Bill that has just gone through several months of review by a Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament, chaired by Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr Omar Davies.

The report of the JSC has been tabled in the House of Representatives, and debate on the proposals was opened yesterday by Minister without portfolio in the ministry, Dr Morais Guy.

Among the other penalties included were:

Owners of vehicles being driven by other persons could end up with a $20,000 fine or a month’s imprisonment, if they failed to ascertain the driver’s name and address;

If the owner knows the driver’s name and address and fails to give the information to the police, they would be liable to a $30,000 fine and one month’s imprisonment in default;

Persons who refuse to let go of a vehicle which is being towed away is liable to a fine of $10,000 or 15 days imprisonment, if they fail to pay the fine;

And for youths who love to “hop” vehicles, there is a fine of $10,000 or 15 days imprisonment for “climbing or swinging” upon any motor vehicle without the owner’s permission;

Persons found guilty of using an electronic device (including cell phones) will face a $30,000 fine or a month’s imprisonment;

Placing or abandoning an object on the road which may endanger, or cause damage to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, carries a $20,000 fine or a month’s imprisonment, and failing to obey the police’s signal to stop the motor vehicle and keep it stationary carries a penalty of $5,000 or 15 days.

 Debate on the Bill/report is expected to be concluded when the House resumes next Tuesday at Gordon House.

BALFORD HENRY