ROCK, Trelawny – In a move aimed at curbing the growing practice of traffic offenders who bypass paying a fine and instead burden the court system in hopes of receiving reduced penalties, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck is urging judges to impose stiffer fines – including the maximum allowed under the law.

Chuck made the call, Friday, while addressing the commissioning ceremony for 19 new justices of the peace for Trelawny. The event was held at Glistening Waters Restaurant.

The justice minister lamented that too many motorists have turned the courts into what he described as an inappropriate “collection point” for unpaid traffic fines, rather than using the avenue only to challenge tickets they believe were wrongly issued.

“Nowadays people are pleading not guilty; they’re culpable, but they’re waiting for time and hope that the courts will charge less,” Chuck said.

“But the law now provides for the judges to charge more than what is on the ticket. And I will encourage the judges to add more if [offenders] waste the court time by coming to court to plead guilty and using up the court time,” he added.

The justice minister’s comments come against the backdrop of a surge in traffic tickets issued by the police, with Assistant Commissioner Gary McKenzie reporting that more than 700,000 tickets were issued in 2025, up from just over 600,000 in 2024.

Justice Minister Delroy Chuck speaking, last Friday, during the commissioning ceremony for 19 new justices of the peace at Glistening Waters Restaurant in Rock, Trelawny. Horace Hines

Chuck argued that many motorists treat tickets “like confetti”, accumulating dozens – and in some cases hundreds – without making payments at Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ).

But he warned that the era of dodging traffic fines with little consequence is rapidly drawing to a close, as the court system has now modernised the process of generating warrants for those who fail to comply.

According to Chuck, motorists are given 30 days to settle tickets at TAJ. Failure to do so requires them to appear before the court on the date stipulated on the ticket. However, many ignore that obligation, triggering bench warrants that are now being electronically generated across several parishes.

Chuck noted that several delinquent motorists have already been arrested under the revamped system.

He cautioned drivers with outstanding warrants to act swiftly.

“The jails are already full, so if you didn’t turn up and clear your traffic ticket, make sure you go to court quickly and settle up so that the warrant can be vacated,” he urged.

Newly commissioned justice of the peace O’brien Miller (left); Custos of Trelawny Hugh Gentles (second left); Justice Minister Delroy Chuck (second right); and minister of state in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Member of Parliament for Trelawny Southern Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert during the commissioning ceremony for 19 new justices of the peace at Glistening Waters Restaurant in Rock Trelawny, on Friday. Horace Hines

The justice minister also highlighted that Jamaica’s long-delayed demerit point system will officially take effect on October 1, after a slight postponement from its initial July roll-out date.

He noted that the system is expected to target habitual offenders, some of whom have amassed “200 tickets”.

“We need law and order on our roads,” Chuck insisted.

He said the new regime will allow authorities to identify persistent violators, suspend licences where necessary, and even require retraining for motorists who demonstrate a disregard for the Road Code.

“When it says STOP, it means halt. When it says 50 kilometres, it means five-zero, not above 50. And when you’re on the highway and it says 110 kilometres, it doesn’t mean 150, because you’re not only putting yourself at risk, you’re jeopardising everybody else,” he said.

Chuck said the Government, through Transport Minister Daryl Vaz and other stakeholders, has intensified public education efforts as part of a broader push to restore discipline and reduce the regular tragedies unfolding on Jamaica’s roadways.