Judiciary moves to close traffic ticket court delay loophole

Motorists who deliberately select heavily congested courts in an attempt to delay traffic ticket hearings for years could soon find that strategy coming to an end.

Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh says the Judiciary is working with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to address weaknesses in the traffic ticketing system that have allowed some motorists to secure hearing dates years after receiving a ticket.

Under the system, people contesting traffic tickets were given flexibility to select a court location based on factors such as where they lived or worked.

However, the Chief Justice said some people began selecting locations where court lists were longer, resulting in hearings being scheduled several years into the future.

The delay could create difficulties when matters eventually reach court, particularly if the police officer involved has transferred from the district or can no longer clearly recall the circumstances surrounding the ticket.

Boodoosingh said the system is now being adjusted to provide shorter return dates and allow traffic matters to be disposed of more quickly.

The development comes as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says tougher traffic measures introduced earlier this year appear to be producing results.

The Prime Minister said available data showed traffic offences had decreased significantly and road fatalities had also declined.

Despite previously indicating that traffic fines could be reconsidered if road safety improved, Persad-Bissessar said she was not yet prepared to announce whether the fines would be changed.

The changes could mean motorists who legitimately want to challenge a traffic ticket will have their cases heard sooner, while reducing the opportunity to use congested court lists simply to delay proceedings.

The Judiciary’s move forms part of a wider effort to make the justice system more efficient and reduce unnecessary delays in the disposal of cases.