BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MOTORISTS in St. Kitts and Nevis must ensure they buckle up and keep their hands free while driving, as the law mandating seatbelt wear and prohibiting cellular phone usage is now enforceable.
Since the passage of the Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Act on January 6, drivers and front seat passengers in the Federation have been required to always wear seat belts when travelling in motor vehicles. Persons are also prohibited from using cellular phones while driving.
However, individuals who may question the use of cellular phones by means of a headset and speaker while driving would have to wait until the Minister of Transport makes a pronouncement on the regulations.
Police officials had stated that the law would not be immediately enforced in order to raise awareness of its implications. Speaking to SKNVibes in January, Sargeant Carl Caines of the Police Traffic Department said, “We’re looking at maybe in June to begin enforcing the law, but right now we’re focusing on trying to educate the public and get the awareness level up.”
However, in an exclusive interview, Caines revealed the June deadline had been shortened and as of Friday, May 1, the law is now being “strictly enforced”. Persons found guilty of committing these offences will be ticketed with a $100 fine.
Caines asserted that the four-month grace period was sufficient to facilitate a smooth transition, as the police had conducted a number of activities to educate the public about the impending changes.
“There were commercials aired on ZIZ and we hosted several televised talk shows and discussions. Additionally, our officers have been on the road speaking to persons about wearing their seatbelts and not using their cell phones while driving. We are confident in the effectiveness of the measures we have taken,” he declared.
According to a release issued by the Police Press and Public Relations Office, members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force conducted a vehicle checkpoint operation on Friday (May 1).
The release informs that the operation’s primary objective was to ensure that motorists were in compliance with traffic regulations, particularly the seatbelt requirement. It further stated that “while most drivers were wearing their seatbelts, several were stopped and warned for the omission”.
