KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that the high traffic fines for breaches under the new Road Traffic Act and Regulations are aimed at deterring bad behaviour and increasing road safety.

“The incorporation of new road measures to increase road safety, which may have financial penalties, is not designed as a revenue measure. The Government has no real interest in earning money from bad behaviour,” he said.

“It is there as a penalty to prevent bad behaviour. So, I’ve taken careful note of this argument being presented that the fines are too high, which is effectively to say that…we want lower fines, so that we can pay them and continue to breach,” said Holness, who was addressing a meeting of the National Road Safety Council held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday.

The Road Traffic and Regulations Act, which took effect on Tuesday, February 1, has sharply increased the penalties for several offences.

Among the stiffer penalties are $20,000 for operating a vehicle that is not insured, $10,000 fine for using a revolving lamp to warn other motorists and indicate priority of movement in traffic, while motorcyclists will also be fined $10,000 for doing a ‘wheelie’ on roads.

READ: Inside the new Road Traffic Act and Regulations

Against this background, Holness reiterated that the new traffic measures are not for financial gain.

“The idea of the high fine is to say to you don’t breach. We’re not interested in your money. We’re interested in your safety. I think that needs to be said,” he added.

READ: Road Traffic Act enforcement not about revenue – Holness