Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s announcement of a temporary grace period for traffic violators has failed to alleviate the widespread disorder surrounding the implementation of stringent new road traffic penalties. While expressing compassion for motorists, the Prime Minister’s January 7th declaration highlights the administration’s inadequate preparation for the logistical challenges that accompanied the enforcement of heightened fines.
The editorial analysis reveals fundamental systemic failures within the licensing division, Ministry of Works, and law enforcement agencies. Despite supporting enhanced road safety measures and stricter penalties for traffic offenses, critics question the government’s prioritization of traffic infringements over more severe crimes including murders and kidnappings.
Eli Zakour’s assertion that lawlessness exceeded governmental expectations appears contradictory given the United National Congress’s (UNC) earlier dismantling of the demerit points system designed to penalize repeat offenders. This action, executed without consultation and against warnings from road safety advocates, raises questions about whether transport officials and cabinet members had reviewed comprehensive data before making this decision.
The government’s claim of sufficient public notice through parliamentary debates on December 5th and 9th has been widely criticized as inadequate. The publication of the enforcement notice on December 25th—mere days before Christmas—directly contradicted transparency principles, creating unnecessary public confusion.
The resulting administrative chaos included incorrect fine applications due to ministerial errors, overwhelmed licensing offices in Port of Spain and Caroni, and documented inefficiencies in traffic enforcement presented to parliamentary committees. This problematic implementation has effectively penalized law-abiding citizens attempting to comply with new regulations, suggesting that governmental inefficiency itself contributes to perceived lawlessness despite the administration’s tough-love approach to governance.