Less paper for tickets

Electronic system still being developed

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

The Ministry of National Security has indicated that a number of the challenges affecting the current traffic ticketing system will be addressed through amendments of the Road Traffic Act. The new legislation is expected later this year. In mid-2011, plans were announced to formulate a new act.

At its introduction in Sep-tember 2010, the current traffic ticketing system was touted as an improvement over the previous one. However, it is currently undergoing a thorough review. "Some of the challenges faced by the current system, which the proposed amendments will address, will include the time period permitted for motorists to pay fines at the tax office, as well as the imposition of restrictions to vehicular transactions, specific to motorists with outstanding tickets," said director of communications and public affairs at the Ministry of National Security, Gillian Haughton.

improving efficiency

The electronic system would negate the need for tickets written by hand.

Following a meeting with the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) in 2012, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller issued instructions to the minister of national security, as well as transport, works and housing, that special attention should be paid to streamlining the traffic ticketing system and improving its efficiency. A first draft of the new system was presented to stakeholders in late 2013 and, following feedback from end-users, e-Gov Jamaica (formerly Fiscal Services Limited) is preparing an updated design.

end-to-end ticketing system

A working group comprising representative of four key ministries - National Security; Transport, Works and Housing; Justice; and Finance and Planning has been established to design an enhanced end-to-end traffic ticketing system, with the support of e-Gov Jamaica. The updated proposal is expected in mid-April, after which a decision will be made on the parameters and features of a new system.

In 2012, the NRSC acknowledged that there had been significant success to the new traffic ticketing system, with more than 700,000 tickets issued and $682 million collected.

Other countries have instituted an electronic traffic ticketing system, but with different ends in mind. In Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Alberta, all in Canada, according to the Sun News Network, an electronic traffic ticketing system has been implemented with a view to reducing paperwork, time expended and errors that lead to millions of dollars in voided traffic tickets.