Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has launched a renewed road safety initiative coinciding with substantial increases in traffic violation penalties effective January 1, 2026. The enforcement measures come despite celebrating a notable 12% reduction in road fatalities between 2024 and 2025, with deaths decreasing from 124 to 109 annually.
Under recently amended provisions of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act’s Ninth Schedule, financial penalties for traffic offenses have escalated dramatically. High-risk violations now carry significantly heftier fines, including $6,000 for exceeding speed limits by more than 31 kilometers per hour and $10,000 for operating vehicles without proper insurance coverage.
The most severe penalties target impaired driving, with first-time DUI offenses now drawing $24,000 fines and repeat violations reaching $45,000. These amendments represent the government’s strengthened approach to enforcing road traffic regulations and compelling motorists to exercise greater vigilance.
In their January 1 media release, TTPS emphasized that while the reduction in fatalities marks progress, each preventable death remains unacceptable. The police service urged all road users to embrace shared responsibility for safety, emphasizing that compliant drivers form the foundation of secure roadways. The appeal for immediate adherence to traffic laws includes ensuring vehicles undergo proper inspections and maintain valid insurance certification.
As Trinidad and Tobago enters the new year, law enforcement authorities emphasize that collective public cooperation remains essential to sustain the positive trend in road safety and further reduce traffic-related deaths nationwide.