The groundwork has been completed for the signing into law of the mandatory use of seatbelts, especially in the front seats of specified motor vehicles.
The relevant bill was taken through all of its stages at a sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday. It will come into force following assent by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The bill, which was unanimously approved and read for a third time in the assembly, received the support of the three opposition members - two from GAP/WPA and one from ROAR - who were on hand for the sitting. The PNC/R parliamentarians who are continuing their boycott of Parliament until the government meets certain commitments were absent.
Piloting the amendment to the existing 1940 Traffic Act, Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj, stated that the law upgrade was in keeping with what had already been done in other parts of the world, including sister Caribbean territories. Although slow in coming, Gajraj stated, the amendment resulted from a process of wide consultation and took into consideration the views of the public at large and other stakeholders whose positions were solicited through a countrywide consultative process.
According to the minister, the new regulations were part of a wide range of measures to ensure greater safety in the use of the country's roads and would make it mandatory for passengers to wear safety belts when travelling in the front seats of certain classes of motor vehicles.
The new law, the minister told his parliamentary colleagues, was designed in keeping with the improvements to the national road network which encouraged persons to drive at terrific speeds likely to cause loss of limb and/or life in the event of a mishap. Studies, according to the minister, have shown that seatbelts reduce the risk of injury and loss of life, a point echoed by GAP/WPA parliamentarian, Sheila Holder in her brief presentation in support of the measure.
Gajraj, in his presentation, outlined some of the principles of the proposed legislation including the categories of vehicles to be exempted from the legislation and under what grounds.
He also outlined fines, including the fact that none of the penalties necessitated a custodial sentence but rather the weight of the fines would act as a deterrent.
Holder in voicing approval for the measure noted that in some countries, persons travelling in backseats of vehicles had to wear seatbelts. However, she expressed concern over whether drivers would be given adequate time to bring themselves into compliance and also called for further safety measures including the prohibition of cellular telephones while driving.
She appealed to drivers to adhere to the law when it came into force and appealed for minibus operators to allow the art of conversation to flourish by reducing the level of their music systems.
Gajraj stated that sufficient time would be given for drivers to comply, and that duty-free concessions would be given for the importation of the seatbelts.
After being taken to the committee stage and some minor changes the bill was passed unanimously.