Only two motorists have been taken before the courts to date, charged with using their cell phones while operating a vehicle.
In February, then police public relations officer, acting inspector Roland Cobbler, said they would be taking action against those who broke the new law. The Road Traffic (Amendment) Act and Regulations 2017-26, was proclaimed on December 11 and published in the Official Gazette on December 28.
Trot Eon Goddard, 39, of St George, appeared in the Bridgetown Traffic Court before Magistrate Graveney Bannister, on February 23, after he was spotted holding the electronic device to his left ear and communicating. He was fined $1 000 forthwith, or 100 days in jail.
Four months later Vivian David Nurse, a 33-year-old driver also of St George, admitted to holding a cell phone while operating a vehicle on a road on June 29. He was also fined $1 000 forthwith or in default 100 days in jail.
When the NATION sought to find out why so few motorists were charged with the offence, despite people being seen daily using their cell phones, police public relations officer acting inspector Rodney Inniss, said while the offenders were also being seen by the police, the law was being enforced. (RA)
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