ITA to keep register of drivers’ details, offences
THE Island Traffic Authority (ITA) is to set up and keep a register of drivers’ details, offences, and related court decisions, under the regulations to the Road Traffic Act (2018), tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The regulations, which will operationalise the law, is being brought into force four years after the Bill was passed by Parliament to replace the more than eight decades-old law.
The courts will submit details of its decisions in respect of motor vehicle offences to the authority, which will keep records such as the name and address of the licensee; driver’s licence numbers; class of licence and particulars connected to it; the name and address of the owner of the motor vehicle; their Taxpayer Registration Number (TRN); the points assigned to the owner and driver of the motor vehicle; the nature of the offence; and the decision of the authority.
Meanwhile, applicants for learners’ permits will now need a medical certificate from a doctor validating that they are fit to drive a motor vehicle and satisfy the ITA, in addition to satisfy a requirement that they are familiar with the road code. Thy will also be required to present proof of identity as well as proof of residence.
According to the regulations, where a medical practitioner indicates that an applicant is not fit to drive a motor vehicle, “the authority shall advise the applicant to seek further medical attention prior to any further consideration of being granted a learner’s permit”.At the same time, people who have been convicted of human trafficking, sexual offences or other violent crimes could have their applications to be certified as a driving instructor rejected by the ITA.
Applicants seeking to be certified as driving instructors will need to furnish a criminal record, character references from specified sources, and a medical certificate.And people under the age of 24, and those who have not held and used the class of driver’s licences for which they are seeking certification to instruct, for at least four years, will not be eligible to instruct learner drivers. Applicants must also complete a driving instructor training programme administered by the ITA.Amendments to the Road Traffic Act, passed in 2018, gave power to the ITA for the regulation and control of traffic on roads, improve road safety and transport efficiency and create new categories of driver’s licences.
The Act, which allows significantly stiffer fines and penalties than the 1938 law, was modernised to also broaden the role of the Road Traffic Appeal Tribunal; reclassify motor vehicle and other forms of vehicles; attach conditions to the grant of permits and driver’s licences; and the transportation of dangerous and hazardous substance.