Stiffer penalties coming as gov’t updates 37-year-old traffic law

The government is currently taking steps to modernise the 37-year-old Road Traffic Act, which, if passed, would see drivers paying increased fines for violating road laws in the territory.

The territory’s Road Traffic Act — specifically Chapter 218 — governs the registration, licensing, and operation of vehicles, as well as traffic rules and regulations. It has been amended multiple times to improve road safety and efficiency, but Works Minister Kye Rymer said the proposed updates are needed to keep pace with the modern realities of road traffic in the Virgin Islands.

“One of the most pressing concerns is the inadequacy of existing penalties. The fines and sanctions — largely unchanged since 1988 — have lost their deterrent effect due to inflation and shifts in societal behaviour,” Minister Rymer explained while introducing the law in the House of Assembly.

“The proposed amendments introduce increased fees and stricter penalties for offences such as dangerous driving, impaired driving and repeat violations,” he added.

Under the proposed law, the fine for breaking the speed limit would increase from $500 to $1,500. For dangerous driving, the fine would rise from $500 to $1,500 for a first offence and from $1,000 to $4,500 for subsequent offences. The fine for driving without due care would increase from $250 to $1,000, with repeat offences carrying a penalty of $3,000. And a new offence — “overtaking on a corner, intersection or crest of a hill” — would carry a fine of $500.

Minister Rymer said several stakeholders, including the police and representatives from the Department of Motor Vehicles, were consulted in drafting the proposed law. He noted that the updates are timely, given the rise in traffic violations and road accidents.

“This alarming trend demands decisive action. Local reports indicate that accidents involving motor scooters and other vehicles continue to rise,” Rymer stated.

While all government members supported the law, some members of the Opposition cautioned that the proposed penalties were too high — particularly given the high cost of living in the territory.

However, the government maintained that the proposed measures are not excessive and align with traffic regulations in other countries.

The legislation is currently at the committee stage of the legislative process, where it is being carefully reviewed by all legislators.