Fines to be enforced from Monday for seatbelt non-compliance
Crackdown starts on big bikes
Stabroek News
June 20, 2003
Drivers and front seat passengers of all vehicles will face stiff penalties from Monday for failing to wear seatbelts.
According to a release from the Police Public Relations Department, drivers will in the first instance face a fine of not less than $7,500 but not more than $10,000, with the fine rising to $10,000-$15,000 for the second offence.
A driver, found with a child who is not wearing a seatbelt or in a child restraint system, would have to pay a fine not exceeding $10,000.
The law came into force on January 1, 2003 but a grace period had been given for persons to have older vehicles fitted with belts.
The law clearly states that the driver and the passenger in the front seat of a vehicle must wear a seatbelt while a child whether in the front or rear seat must wear a seatbelt or be in a child restraint mechanism.
According to the release, the force is still concerned by those who particularly at night continue to flout the seatbelt law.
The release also notes the blatant disregard of some motorcyclists who do not wear safety helmets and others who use false number plates on some large motorcycles.
The release referred to seven motorcyclists held along the seawall road in the vicinity of police headquarters, five of whom were charged for failing to wear safety helmets.
Four of the five, the release also said, were charged with being unlicenced riders, three with having uncertified motor vehicles, two were found to be in breach of insurance and one carried a pillion rider without a safety helmet.
Two other cyclists detained in the crackdown have since failed to report to the police and the force is said to be dealing with those matters.
In the press release the police also used the opportunity to warn motorcyclists and drivers of horse carts to desist from the dangerous act of drag racing, particularly along Homestretch and Mandela Avenues, the Railway Embankment Road and Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.
The traffic department is still enforcing rules on “boom boom boxes” which the release says clearly breach their road service licence.
An amendment to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 51:02 stipulates that a minimum fine of $20,000 and maximum of $40,000 is to be applied for the playing of loud music in minibuses.
