KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Senate on Friday postponed completion of the debate on the much-anticipated Road Traffic Bill, which repeals the existing Road Traffic Act and replaces it with provisions in keeping with international best practices for road safety.

The debate was suspended at the request of Minister of Justice, Senator Mark Golding, in order to facilitate additional amendments, including provisions for motorists to be able to make payments online.

Senator Golding said that the amendments would not only allow for payments to be made at the tax office or online at any time prior to adjudication, but would also provide for an additional incremental fee for payment on a monthly basis after the initial 30-day grace period for payment of ticket fines.

The 2015 Bill, which replaced the 2014 Bill, was tabled last year after its predecessor was withdrawn with a large number of amendments coming out a joint select committee review.

Opposition Senator Kavan Gayle, who was a member of the joint select committee, suggested that revenues obtained from breaches of the Act should be dedicated to improving road conditions for motorists.

Government Senator Noel Sloley said that while the Bill can have “real positive impact”, it must be supported by a major educational programme through the school system, to ensure that it does not end up ‘making criminals of young people’.

Opposition Senator Arthur Williams urged that the Government look at reviewing the laws governing speed limits on major highways.

The Road Traffic Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Road Traffic Act of 1938. It includes new information, amended provisions as well as increased fines for traffic offences.

The Bill, among other things, includes provisions for the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) to become the island’s licensing authority, as well as the reclassification of vehicles, and granting of driver’s licences and their conditions.

Balford Henry