Some local traffic laws violate human rights, Skelton says
Territorial At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton has argued that some traffic offences currently classified as criminal in the British Virgin Islands violate human rights. He is urging the government to reclassify these infractions as non-criminal under the proposed Road Traffic Act.
In the BVI, certain traffic violations are ticketable, while others—such as dangerous driving—are considered criminal and may require a court appearance or even carry the possibility of jail time.
But Skelton said he has witnessed the negative consequences of criminal convictions for traffic offences, noting that some individuals have been denied access to essential services despite being BVIslanders.
“One thing that always bothered me is if you make a traffic violation a criminal offence, when you go to court, you get a criminal record. But it prohibits you from getting certain things when you have a criminal record – a simple thing such as a passport. I’m not talking off the top of my head, this is something I know and I’ve seen it being exercised,” Skelton told the House of Assembly during debate on the proposed Road Traffic Act.
He added: “Somewhere, wherever it is to be written, we need to make traffic violations a non-criminal offence. That’s the one thing we should do or else all the rest is irrelevant in my mind. Because when you’re going to prevent someone from getting a passport from the country of their birth because they have a criminal record based on a traffic violation, it’s not right! It’s inhumane and it’s against their human rights.”
While making his case, Skelton made clear that he was not referring to instances where a vehicle is used to commit a crime.
“There are laws that will penalise you for that,” he clarified.
Calls to modernise fender bender protocols
Skelton also urged the government to ensure the new traffic law allows drivers involved in minor accidents to resolve the situation without waiting for police to clear the scene.
“If I run into the back of your car, we block the whole road and back up traffic to West End because you and I can’t agree. People can agree to exchange their insurance information – some of us are insured by the same people. This is another thing we can do to make this act modern in 2025. If I didn’t cause any serious injuries to the driver or anybody else, I don’t understand why we have to wait until the police comes to draw some lines in the road,” Skelton explained.
Some elected officials have called for sufficient time to be spent reviewing the new Road Traffic Act to ensure all necessary updates are included and controversial provisions receive full consideration.
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This is your f’ing contribution to our country? WTF, man! Some of the things that on with these roads is a ‘violation’ of our basic human rights! How drivers, especially scooters drive with next to no police scrutiny, is a violation! Idiots driving with high beams at night is a violation!
I am so sick of your petty and pathetic political posturing.
Of all the people elected, and of all the expectations of our electorate, you Sir, with all your knowledge and experience, are BY FAR the most disappointing!
You sound so frigging retarded! It was the law being discussed in the house at the time. All members contributed to this law. Ronnie has contributed more to this country than your entire family lineage has! sthu
Claude? Ronnie? Wiggy? Skelton family members? …. calm yourselves.
For real,, this man is a waste of nine months..
If itbis criminal don’t do it. No excuse that you did criminal activity in a car behind your illegal tinted windows.
You still trying to dodge Airport security Ronnie???
Not sure you best to talk on illegal activities.
And remove the tint. Get legal.
I agree with Hon Skelton however,
make it mandatory to have drivers licence and insurance particulars on your person/vehicle when driving
Then make hit and run a criminal offence
Then create chase legislation for the police
Then make failing to provide your vehicle particulars to the person you are involved in the collision with a criminal offence.
Then you have to look at collisions involving tourist and rental vehicles
Tell us what exactly you agree with because in between all that Skelton spoke some foolishness.
Skelton said he has witnessed the negative consequences of criminal convictions for traffic offences, noting that some individuals have been denied access to essential services despite being BVIslanders.
With that warped thinking I am here wondering how you could have lasted 25 years in the job to be eligible for retirement, I think you meant to say former cop.
He makes more sense than the leader of the opposition
LOL. In which world he would sound better than Myron? Myron being Leader of the Opposition really eating out the entitled family.
With the greatest of respect, Hon. Skelton is dead wrong on this point. If you apply to the Police for a Police Record the criminal convictions are listed as such and then there 1s a separate listing of the traffic offences. Let the Honorable member research these things before he starts sounding off.
Some Drivers here are very reckless including those big truck drivers some. They dont realize their careless actions can cause a loss of life.
They should be prosecuted criminally when this happened especially if they are drunk or high.
They should not just get a slap on the wrist. I am appalled that the lawmakers would soften these laws for these careless lawless people including scooter riders.
It’s voted they looking.
a motor vehicle on land in the BVI is a PRIVILEGE not a right. If you break the RTA laws then you are a criminal. Summary offense goes to Mag. court with likely a fine, license suspension or forfeiture of the vehicle. Indictable offense goes to HIgh Court with likely fines, incarceration and possible deportation.
Well, if what the Honorable Skelton posited in that article is foolishness, then the Virgin Islands has truly gone to the dogs
Never heard of a person being denied a passport because of any criminal conviction or a traffic violation (I stand to be corrected). but police can and do sometimes resort to less than ethical tactics to make an otherwise law abiding driver into a law breaker so they can rake in the bucks for government coffers.