THE Island Traffic Authority (ITA) is urging companies seeking to employ drivers to request driving abstracts from the ITA so as to be informed of their driving history.

Driving abstracts include information such as when the driver’s licence was first issued, the number of tickets, suspensions and revocations for any traffic violations.

Director of the ITA, Kenute Hare said too many employed drivers are operating company vehicles recklessly — leading not only to vehicular damages but injuries and fatalities as well.

“Some of these drivers know that the company may not be aware of their driving behaviour when they’re traversing the roadways, because nobody is willing to call and report to the company. They drive these vehicles and wreck them, resulting in exorbitant repair costs. So, companies with vehicle fleets, where you have assigned drivers to these fleets, ask them to get the driving abstracts. The ITA can let you know what type of driver they are,” he noted.

With road fatalities surpassing 300 since the beginning of the year, Hare said companies must send a strong message to these drivers to ensure a change in driving behaviour, and a safe traffic environment for all road users.

To obtain a driving abstract, persons must pay a fee of $3,000 to Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ). They must ensure the correct code is written on the receipt — this is “365”. The receipt from TAJ, along with the valid driver’s licence, must then be taken to the Island Traffic Authority’s head office on Maxfield Avenue for processing.

For drivers who will be asking someone to conduct business on their behalf, they must provide a letter signed and stamped by a justice of the peace.