ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Motorists who have been “observed and caught” by police using a cell phone while driving will have to pay a fine of EC$500 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) immediately, the Ministry of Legal Affairs has said.
In a statement, it said that the amendment to the Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Act 2018 has gone into effect making it an offence of careless driving holding and using a hand-held mobile device.
“The Vehicle and Road Traffic (Enforcement and Administration) (Amendment) Order 2019 makes it an offence for driving and using handheld device. Contrary regulation 4 of Vehicles and Road Traffic (Mobile Devices) Regulations of 2019 permits police officers to issue a ticket (fixed penalty of 500) if you are observed holding and using mobile device while driving,” the statement said.
It said that the legislation makes it and offence for “individuals to view, send or compose and electronic message” and that police are permitted to issue a ticket with a fixed penalty of EC$500 “if you are observed holding and using mobile device while driving”. (CMC)
