B.V.I. Friday, 17 July – The Ministry of Communications and Works in conjunction with Neil Blyden and Associates today launched a campaign to educate and inform the public about the Road Traffic Regulations 2009.
“The regulations were approved by Cabinet on June 10, 2009 and will become effective August 31, 2009,” according to Acting. Deputy Secretary, Mrs. Myrna Hill-Ferdinand.
The Road Traffic Regulations 2009 will re-define the use and purpose of the commercial (CM) license plates, clarify the types of vehicles that will be issued such plates and introduce a new category of plates referred to as Livery.
“Livery refers to the category of vehicle that will transport people for hire. Such vehicles in the livery transport services are shuttle, tour, community transit bus and limousine services,” Mrs. Ferdinand told the Department of Information and Public Relations.
In addition to the introduction of the livery category, the Taxi Cab Commission Regulations was amended and renamed to the Taxi and Livery Commission. “The reason for the amendment was to introduce a secretariat, staffed with a director, an administrative officer and inspectors to handle complaints from the travelling public and conduct administrative hearings into these complaints,” Mrs. Ferdinand explained.
“Additionally, the amendment gives more enforcement powers to the Commission as they will now work closely with the Vehicle Licensing Department and Traffic Wardens to control the transportation industry,” Mrs. Ferdinand continued.
As part of the campaign, bulletins, press releases, GIS radio reports, radio ads, television infomercials, posters, community and business meetings and a variety of other media will be used to ensure that the community is fully informed of the Road Traffic Regulations 2009 and how it will affect them.
The community is encouraged to tune in to the local media to learn more about the Road Traffic Regulations 2009.
The Government is asking for the support of all parties involved to make the transition as smooth as possible as they endeavour to move forward to meet international standards and to enhance the tourism industry.
Government is committed to providing efficient and accurate services in vehicle licensing matters and to promote driver’s safety in compliance with the road traffic legislation of the Territory.
British Virgin Islands News