DELINQUENT motorists owing outstanding traffic fines have been given until September 30 to clear their arrears, as the Government prepares to re-implement the demerit point system amid concerns that more than 1.1 million unpaid tickets remain on record.

The announcement was made by Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz, who declared that the reintroduction of the initiative would strengthen efforts to reduce traffic violations, improve driver accountability, and save lives on Jamaica’s roads.

“The demerit point system is designed to address these challenges by promoting compliance with the Road Traffic Act and deterring repeat offenders. It is not intended as a punitive measure but as a road safety tool that encourages responsible driving and helps reduce dangerous behaviour on our roads,” he said during a media briefing on the operationalisation of the demerit points system on Thursday.

Vaz said reimplementation was necessary, citing 1.1 million outstanding tickets alongside 118,000 recently issued by authorities. He emphasised the urgency of the measure, noting that reckless driving has already claimed hundreds of lives in road tragedies this year.

“It is no secret that existing on our roads we have several drivers with hundreds of tickets outstanding who have not had their licences suspended and are the main perpetrators of reckless and lawless behaviours on our road. The timing of this implementation is significant.

“As of June 24, 2026, a total of 136 persons have lost their lives in 122 road accidents. Excessive speeding, reckless driving, improper overtaking, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and other dangerous behaviours continue to contribute to serious collisions, injuries, and fatalities,” said the minister.

While acknowledging the decline as a slight improvement from the same period last year, where the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) reported 175 road fatalities from 158 fatal crashes, Vaz stressed that more needs to be done to continue the downward trend of vehicular deaths on Jamaica’s roads.

“With the raft of efforts being implemented by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Transport, and the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force], Jamaica can continue this downward trend and see less than 300 road fatalities by 2027. We have already seen drastic reductions in the number of children injured and now focus on the wider population,” he said.

Vaz further explained that motorists who settle their outstanding traffic tickets before September 30, 2026 will not be penalised on the commencement of the system, noting that the period was an opportunity to regularise their records, settle outstanding tickets, and ensure compliance with the law.

“The ministry is undertaking a comprehensive modernisation of the road traffic legislative framework to improve road traffic safety and strengthen enforcement,” he said.

“The amendments also enhance our modern framework for electronic traffic enforcement by adopting technology-neutral standards, strengthening the use of camera evidence, expanding the method of service of notices to not only utilise electronic means but for the use of non-electronic means for those who may not have access, clarifying owner liability, and updating vehicle safety standards,” Vaz added.

Under the Road Traffic Act 2018 and Road Traffic Regulations 2022, the demerit point system stipulates that if a driver accumulates 10 or more demerit points within a 15-month period, it triggers a mandatory licence suspension. Vaz urged road users to use the 90-day extension to get on the right side of the law.

“We, therefore, encourage all motorists to take advantage of the remaining time and not wait until enforcement begins. It is important to note that implementation of the demerit point system was previously suspended to provide additional time for compliance. This period is now ending, effective September 30, 2026.

“The suspension will cease, and from October 1, 2026, the system will be fully operational and a zero-tolerance approach will be adopted towards traffic violations, particularly those who endanger lives and undermine road safety,” he warned.