A landmark policy shift aimed at tackling mounting delays in traffic case processing and worsening road safety risks is moving forward, after the national Cabinet gave formal approval to launch a dedicated after-hours court for traffic offenses.
Under the new plan, individuals accused of traffic violations will no longer need to wait for standard weekday court hours to have their cases adjudicated. The approval of this specialized court comes after a recommendation from Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin, which the full Cabinet accepted as a targeted solution to two growing crises: a crippling backlog of unresolved traffic cases and persistent public anxiety over road safety, Communications Director General Maurice Merchant confirmed in a public announcement Friday.
Merchant noted that the decision came after weeks of extensive deliberations among Cabinet members, who reviewed recent data showing steady increases in both reported traffic offenses and road accidents across the country. Alongside these rising incident numbers, officials also examined the ballooning inventory of traffic cases that have been stuck in the traditional court system, waiting months or longer for resolution.
Cabinet members have repeatedly raised alarms about the growing frequency of traffic violations and crashes, highlighting their devastating toll on public safety, private and public property, and the efficiency of the national justice system. After reviewing all available data, members reached a consensus that the traditional court structure was no longer adequate to handle the volume of traffic matters, and that a more focused, expedited approach was critical to eliminate unnecessary delays in resolving these cases.
Beyond clearing existing backlogs, the new night court initiative is designed to strengthen overall compliance with traffic laws. By ensuring that offenders are held accountable quickly rather than facing months of delay before their cases are heard, officials expect the court system will act as a stronger deterrent to dangerous driving behavior, ultimately reducing the number of accidents and violations across the country. Work is now expected to begin on implementing the new court structure, with further details on operational timelines to be released in coming weeks.