BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 29TH 2005 With some 701 vehicle accidents and seven deaths reported up to October this year in St. Kitts, compared to 721 accidents and five deaths for the same period in 2004, legislation imposing stiffer fines for contravention of the Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Cap 270, goes before the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on Thursday. A total of 935 accidents were reported for for St.
Kitts in 2004.
The Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, 2005 stands in the name of Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan.
Proposed amendments increase the fine for driving an unlicensed vehicle from
EC$400 to EC$1,000; driving without a licence from EC$400 to EC$1,000 and if
the offender was previously refused a driver's licence from EC$500 to EC$2,000; the fine for speeding is being increased from EC$500 to EC$2,000.
Offenders found guilty of driving under the influence of drugs or liquor will have the fine increased from EC$2,000 to EC$4,000 and the term of imprisonment is also increased from six months to one year.
The proposed fine for reckless or dangerous driving increases from EC$2,000 to EC$4,000 on summary conviction, from EC$4,000 to EC$8,000 on indictment and the term of imprisonment is also increased from "a term not exceeding four months" to "a term not exceeding one year."
The proposed fine for careless driving is also increased from EC$1,000 to EC$2,000; for racing or trial of speed from EC$1,000 to EC$2,000 and the term of imprisonment is also increased from "a term not exceeding four months" to "a term not exceeding one year."
A driver found guilty of refusing to stop or give his or her name and address when required to do so by a police officer, will now have to pay a fine of EC$1,000. The present penalty is three hundred dollars.
The proposed fine for various offences, such as throwing an object at a motor vehicle or driving a motor vehicle in a defective condition will be increased from EC$200 to EC$1,000.
The fine for repairing a motor vehicle on the street, except in cases of accident is to be increased from EC$500 to EC$2,000; for taking a vehicle without the consent of the owner from EC$1,000 to EC$2,000 and for fraudulent application for a drivers licence from EC$1,000 to EC$2,000.
The bill, which will be piloted through all three stages, also increases from EC$250.00 to EC$1,000, the penalty for non-compliance with the provisions related to endorsements and compliance with an ord.
The time for the service of Summons is also increased from 14 days to 21 days.
