Buckle up, or pay up!

The long anticipated and applauded amendment to the Motor Vehicle and Road traffic Act which mandates among other things the wearing of seatbelts and helmets is now law.

After many calls, especially after horrific accidents in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the bill was passed in parliament on Thursday, June 29, spearheaded by Culture Minister René Baptiste and was sent to the Governor-General for assent into law.{{more}}

From last Monday, August 14, the bill became law and police officers have begun to sensitize motorists about the requirements of the new law. SEARCHLIGHT understands that in the interim police will be giving gentle cautions and reminding motorists and bikers, but will soon thereafter be cracking the legal whip. One stroke from this whip can see a motorist being charged up to $2,000 for a first offence, and up to $5,000 for a repeat offence.

Persons found driving without using their seat belts or riding motorcycles or bicycles without using Bureau of Standards authorized helmets, would be found in violation of the amended act. The driver of a motor vehicle should ensure that a child traveling in his vehicle is wearing a seatbelt, or is conveyed in an appropriate child restraint system positioned in the rear seat.