Getting a $150 ticket for talking on your hand-held cell phone while driving isn’t the only new or increased traffic related fine that will take effect later this month.
The Traffic Law and accompanying regulations officially take effect in the Cayman Islands on 21 September. In addition to raising old fines and creating new ones, the law also adds new driving offences such an “inconsiderate” or “ careless” driving.
The regulations to the law as well as the updated Cayman Islands Road Code are set to be released on 20 September, one day before they take effect.
Fines
In general, traffic-related fines that were $20 have been increased under the regulations to $100. Fines that were $25 have been increased to $200.
Some examples of this include: parking within 45 feet of a pedestrian crossing will result in a $100 fine; the fine for failing to comply with a police signal in cases where they are directing traffic, or failing to give way to a police car will be $200. This is the same for an ambulance or an emergency vehicle.
The charge for police records will rise from $10 to $25 as well under the new regulations.
Drivers that park in a disabled parking space will be fined $100. The other new fine is for the improper use of a cell phone while operating a vehicle.
‘Inconsiderate’ driving
The Traffic Law creates criminal offences where none existed before for “inconsiderate” or “careless” driving in instances where another person is killed.
Vehicle Licensing Director David Dixon said the new law allows a court the option to convict for the offence of “careless” driving, where there is not sufficient evidence of causing death by dangerous or reckless driving.
“Dangerous driving refers to [a] driver that caused a road death due to high speed and the manner of road driving without taking into consideration the conditions on the road and traffic, etc.,” Mr. Dixon said. “Death by careless driving or inconsiderate driving may happen in a low speed situation, for example when using a cell phone.”
The section of the law that deals with the new offences reads: “A person who drives a vehicle or animal on a road without care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons, and by so doing causes the death of another person commits an offence.”
The charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving carries a maximum $10,000 fine and up to seven years in prison upon conviction. In addition, the guilty party could have their driving licence taken away for three years or longer, depending on any jail sentence received.
The bill also creates a separate and new criminal offence for disqualified drivers who cause fatal accidents; for instance, drivers who do not have insurance or updated coupons on their vehicle.
Again, the offence would carry up to a seven year imprisonment term plus fines upon conviction.
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The RCIPS is like the Avon lady..in your face with the latest Campaign..and then you don’t hear boo from ’em until the NEXT ONE…here’s a thought for you, Baines…how about you get on that radio and ask why officers don’t enforce ALL THE LAWS, ALL THE TIME..???
A new traffic offence category needs to be created to heavily file those drivers who allow children to ride in a car without a seatbelt. It continually amazes me to see kids in cars moving around, and even worse to see young children sitting on their parent’s lap, when they have a car seat sitting emtpy in the back! These parents should be charged with Reckless Driving at the very least……
It’s amazing how little enforcement is taking place whilst there are constant traffic offences occuring on these little islands. If the offenders were consistently issued citations by RCIPS, the results would be a significant injection of funds to our Government’s revenue stream. Officers on patrol need to issue citations for all offences and in turn, offenders need to accept that they have offended and pay the fine. If the fine is too hard on your pockets, then try harder to abide by the Law.
Hard to enforce driving violations, when the RCIP does not know how to use a roundabout.
How often have you seen officers on patrol, either talking on their cell phones, or using the roundabout incorrectly.
Lead by example.
I’ll take the Traffic Warden job PLEASE, oh PLEASE, oh pretty PLEASE. You can even pay me on a commission basis only. I could easily make 100k a year just by issuing tickets to those lazy, selfish people who park in the handicapped spaces outside Cafe Del Sol, Fosters and Kirks in the mornings.
While the laws new and old are perfectly fine, this isn’t about keeping the roads safe, this is about raising funds! If we didn’t have a recent budget crisis, we wouldn’t be seeing these implementations.
Puss in Boots, you missed your chance.
Stuart Kernohan was planning to introduce traffic wardens back in 2007 but – like the crime lab – it hit some kind of political speed bump along the way.
If you ask me, the police is being used as a tool to harass and squeeze money out of people’s pockets. There is no doubt that these fine increases are really linked to an ailing economy and leeching government. Next insurance companies will increase their insurances. Just wait… it is only a matter of time.
Since there are no income in resolving robberies, what the heck, let do other things that is going to pay for our pension.
Sounds very familiar……..check this out 🙂
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9331510/Speeding-fines-to-go-up-by-50-per-cent.html
A 200 fine for failing to give way to a police car will cost me 200? So if two cops are racing with their sirens on to a bank robbery in progress (or freshly made patties) and I don’t yield to them, will they stop and ticket me?
Does ‘inconsiderate’ driving apply to those who go 25mph in a 40mph zone? I find it pretty inconsiderate. Also, does this law apply to Omnibuses that stop where ever they want?
You folks on the Cayman island are lucky, we here in the states have traffic cameras that get you running a red light and also can get you a speeding ticket.Drivers beware.
I am happy driving fines are going up! Better the fines going up than Government taking a bite out of salaries of civil servants. Which Government is alas doing. Here on the Brac, people drive like maniacs, disregarding the speed limit signs, almost sideswiping cars they are hurrying to pass while gabbling on their cellphones. And the police, bless them, aren’t hiding anywhere in the bush and palm trees roadside to catch the bad drivers! Perhaps these higher fines will prevent some of the grievous traffic deaths that have occured on the Brac over recent years. Perhaps the higher fines won’t make any difference in the execrable driving habits of drivers (from various islands and countries including the Cayman Islands)on Cayman Brac. A Tip to the RCIP here – there are several places speed traps would be MOST welcome on this sweet island!
Motorists only or All road nuisances?
Just followed a Cyclist
– No hands on the Handlebars
– No Lights and it was after Dusk
– Texting on his Cell
– Weaving back and forth across the carriageway
Seems to have less respect for his own life than a clinically depressed Lemming, who’s lost his Meds and just found out his wifes been cheating…