44 ticketed during Traffic Operation

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A recently-launched operation by the Traffic Department, codenamed ‘Operation Zero Tolerance’, revealed that motor omnibus operators are either deliberate in their disobedience of the law or genuinely unaware that failure to display the appropriate signage indicating the bus route which they ply is in breach of the Federation’s Traffic laws.
 
The operation took place on Monday morning of (Sept 3) in the form of patrols in the St. Peter’s, Conaree, Camps and Basseterre areas.
 
SGT Calvin Amory of the Traffic Department informed that approximately 130 vehicles were stopped and checked and 44 tickets were issued for varying traffic offences.
 
He explained that the greatest percentage of tickets issued – 38.6% - was to motor omnibus operators who failed to display a destination board on the outside of their vehicle.
 
One was issued for wearing no headgear, five for driving unlicenced vehicle, 17 for failing to display destination board, one for excessive tinting, three for driving with expired licence, two for failing to display signage indicating number of passengers the vehicle is licenced to transport, five for failing to comply with traffic directions, one for causing obstruction, two for failing to wear seatbelt, two for driving off the bus route, two for failing to stop at bus stop and three for using cellphone while operating vehicle.
 
He said the tickets were issued within a two-hour-and-15-minute period
 
He expressed concern that several omnibus owners and or operators are in breach of the law relating to the display of a destination board.
 
Citing the Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 15.06, SGT Amory said Section 42(1) addresses that issue.
 
“All motor omnibuses and passenger trucks shall display on the outside of the front in the conspicuous place a board or other sign as may be approved by the licencing authority showing the destination to which the vehicle is proceeding.”
 
Concern was also expressed by the officer over the failure of omnibus owners/operators to conspicuously exhibit signage – on the vehicle’s interior - indicating the number of passengers the vehicle is licenced to transport at any given time.
 
“It is clear in law that every public service vehicle, once you are licenced to carry passengers you should be displaying a destination board at the front of the vehicle. Failing to do that, you would be ticketed or reported. We at the Traffic Department have also observed that persons are not making sure that the appropriate signage is inside the vehicle to indicate passenger fares and the number of passengers the vehicle is licenced to carry. This is against the law!
 
“We are appealing to all of the public service busses to ensure that they comply with the law in relation to the notice boards and the signage…”
 
Persons caught committing this infraction can be ticketed in the amount of $100 and failure to pay within the stipulated period would result in appearance before a court of law. Also, a fine of up to $3 500 or a term of imprisonment can be imposed.