Despite concerns raised about owners being liable for e-tickets billed to their vehicles, no amendment was made to that portion of the new road traffic act, which was passed in the senate, today.

Leader of Government Business in the Senate Kamina Johnson Smith noted that the owners’ liability clause is concerned with all vehicular offences captured on camera.

She said owners now have a responsibility to use due process when selecting drivers to operate their vehicles.

Senator Johnson Smith emphasized that the owner’s liability clause is not restricted to taxi operators.

She noted that many of the other concerns raised by taxi operators recently are dealt with under the Transport Authority (Amendment) Act, and not the Road Traffic act.

In the meantime, Opposition Senator Wentworth Skeffery lamented that ticketing owners, will not address the issue of driver indiscipline as the drivers will not be held to account.

Senator Skeffery noted that ticketing the owner of the vehicle will leave the driver with an unblemished record that could lead to a driver who is undisciplined by nature being hired by an unsuspecting vehicle owner.

He also questioned what system would be put in place to enable employers to verify the character of drivers.

Meantime, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Kamina Johnson Smith announced that the draft regulations which will accompany the amendments to the Road Traffic act should be complete by the first quarter of 2019.

Speaking in the Senate today (Dec 7) Senator Johnson Smith said the draft regulations are undergoing final consultations with stakeholders which include representatives of the island’s taxi operators.

Senator Johnson Smith noted that during the time between the passage of the act and when it comes into effect, the government will be embarking on a public education campaign.