Walwyn: Gov’t using new traffic fines to make money off people
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has rejected some of the fines proposed under the updated Road Traffic Act, calling them excessive and accusing the government of using the legislation to recoup funds it has mismanaged during its term.
The government is currently moving to modernise the 37-year-old Road Traffic Act, which, if passed, would introduce higher fines for offences such as dangerous driving, impaired driving, and repeat violations. The most severe proposed penalty is a $4,500 fine for dangerous driving.
But Walwyn argued that the increased penalties are a cash grab targeting residents who are already burdened by a high cost of living.
“Some of the fees are warranted but some are excessive and it’s almost as if the police will be out swooping people to give them a ticket so government can get some money for the consolidated fund,” Walwyn criticized. “You could afford to give Vybz Kartel $300,000 but you’re here taxing the people?”
While calling for the proposed fines to be reduced, Walwyn also took aim at the poor state of the territory’s roads, saying motorists should not be penalised so harshly when road conditions are substandard and negatively affect their driving.
“It’s called a Road Traffic Act — ‘road’ is the operative word. The road dem ain’t no good. We’re playing hopscotch on the roads and now you’re charging the people extra money for roads that ain’t no good? This is the height of political wickedness! You shouldn’t drive without a license but to move from $150 to $1,500 in one swoop. That’s excessive,” Walwyn said.
He also criticised a proposed measure requiring seniors over a certain age to submit medical documents before their driver’s licenses can be renewed.
Walwyn’s remarks stirred visible reactions from members of the government, who made audible comments during his presentation. When he concluded his contribution to the debate, Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley rose in rebuttal, accusing Walwyn of politicising an issue that affects the daily lives of residents.
“The challenge we have in the Virgin Islands is politics and sometimes we can’t get things to function properly here because all we can think about is votes and who will get in power. What about the people who want to see the roads function properly? Instead of being able to look at a bill through the prism of what is right, the only way we want to look at it is what is to my political advantage. It’s disgusting! And we’ll never get anywhere with that,” the Premier said.
The bill is currently at the committee stage in the House of Assembly, where it is undergoing detailed scrutiny by all lawmakers.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
WHA WROND WID DIS LIL ISLAND BOY?
You sound soo stupid
The head is either empty of requisite information, is bad or is completely filled with s+y+e and hatred.
Whether you are a Black person or one of those white English men who often mascarade on this site as local voices, you are a total clown.
@ he head gone, your head is inside your ho—ll , so all you could see is sh–tt, your dunce a—-
Pure @$$ishness yes
This is hitting the nail on the heard
ROAD
We can hardly drive without falling in a pot hole
Look at the fly by night patching to ease criticism
Is it as BVIslanders we cannot see through this law
We the people should be holding the Government to ransom and do not pay Road Insurance taxes
Are we blindsided by political parties that we cannot think for our selves?
When Heritage called for the March all of you snickered and laugh
We have no courage abd no backbone
The Government will continue to do as they like
What a time for us . We want independence!!!!
The challenge we have is enforcing the laws (start getting tint off windows) and we have and transparency and accountability.
Who authorized signed handed money to BOA. It should not be this difficult to state that.
No wonder UK and others not happy that VI will reveal beneficial owners who launder money and promote terrorism. This is a secretive place that hides lots of wrong doing including murderers,and drug dealing money laundering and concert cash hiding premiers.
Keep on them Walwyn. He saying we playing hopscotch on the roads LOL.
This is a good thing. It may help stop people from from going through red lights, driving aggressively, parking wherever they want to, stopping on the highway to pick up passengers, using the phone when driving…the list goes on.
It is not the review of the laws, it is the excessive penalty for money
@Target, actually you make a fair point
I disagree with Hon. Walwyn on this one. We need to take the necessary precautions on the road. If life is already hard then don’t make it any harder by speeding, driving dangerously and breaking the laws. If you don’t break the law, you can’t be subjected to these fines, whether they are high or low.
And if you are acknowledging that the roads are in bad condition, then that’s more reason to take your time and drive responsibly. The Traffic laws include the words “having regards to the condition of the road” for a reason. If the road is wet, slow down. If there is a pothole, take your time to drive through or around it in a safe way.
But yes, the roads need re-engineering and fixing but there is no need to compound an already bad situation.
The fee increases are too high. Some will say it’s good that they are high until they get fined.
People will think twice before doing stupidness. I’m for it! Some of these drivers just be wilding! I hope they actually enforce the laws.
High fees do not deter bad behaviour on the roads. More effort needs to be put on education. We do not do enough public relations on the do’s and don’ts in the community. I also agree that some increase are exorbitant
High fees or low fees don’t have nothing to do with the condition of the roads if the roads are that bad that means you should pay more attention to the road and keep off your cellphone and wear your seatbelt…bad roads don’t give you the right not to follow the laws of the BVI come on man,
Anybody ever notice the amount of tint on the opposition leader’s vehicle?
Not me. I not seen tint. Tint would never be on Gov vehicles.
Premier excepted maybe.
If Gov don’t follow their own rules why should the people follow the Government?
First of all members of the House of Assembly are exempt from the tint law. Secondly every single minister of government have tint on the government vehicle that they drive but you ain’t say nothing. You have strength for Myron but you going keep off of him.
They need to update the speed laws at the same time. 20 mph in road town and on the highway is ridiculous. I agree with Myron. The government is just trying to make money off the people. When will they give back. The roads are so horrible damaging people cars and yet front end shocks, control arms etc is 20 % duty. How about make those items duty free until they fix the roads and give people a break.
I agree with the Honorable Minister.
He is of a very capable intellect and mind.
He is one of us. Hence, we must remain aware of the divisive external tactics that will be posted in media to prevent us from seeing his true value, but instead to conjure up hatred and division within us for him..
With the low level of enforcement, the fines collected are hardly going to make a dent in our finances.
we need walwyn as the next premier
I second this motion, has common sense.
Traffic fines are not designated to impose on law-abiding citizens. If you don’t breach the Road Traffic Act, then you will never be fined. Now, if you decide to breach the law, then there are consequences for your actions. It is as simple as ABC. If you don’t breach, you didn’t pay.
the penalty costs are too high. Make them more reasonable and notify insurance company who has right to increase annual premium for dangerous drivers.
This Country is lacking rules. We pass laws but do not enforce the rules and regulations. Put office Callwood back in Road Town.
Why is this news. People get fined because they are not obeying the rules..To add a lot of people get just a warning…This is garbage news.
There is a higher penalty already established, that’s jail for death by dangerous driving.
I can see where walwyn is coming from, the BVI citizens are dealt with harshly while non citizens like Vybz Kartel get quarter million USD to workup he waist and curse expletives.
An forget to tell you that tinting is going to be beyond police to control, because the new cars will come with chromic electronic tint that you adjust the darkness of your glass by a push of a button, it’s already been also used on office glass and homes.
“While calling for the proposed fines to be reduced, Walwyn also took aim at the poor state of the territory’s roads, saying motorists should not be penalised so harshly when road conditions are substandard and negatively affect their driving.”
That is an idiotic statement, attempting to conflate the roads’ deplorable condition with causing unsafe driving. In fact, if there’s a causal nexus, it’s likely just the opposite.
The penalties have to be harsh or they serve no purpose. Furthermore, avoiding fines is easy – just drive safely – period, full stop.
Talking pure hate and foolishness.
Got to pay for Nat’s first class travels somehow
Myron is just another m* m* looking power
I will never buy another new vehicle in the BVI or help any of my children to do so, because its a waste of money to invest on these no good roads. All the car dealers want to sell at skyhigh prices, they not making a sound about the roads condition, but want people to come buy their expensive rides. I am finished with that nonsense.
But the hypocrisy of Walwyn after driving in the leader of the opposition government vehicle for ms parson’s funeral the guy is all about self and power
But we the voters can see through it he is better off on the opposition