Since the new Cayman Islands Traffic Law and Regulations came into effect on Friday, 21st September 2012, officers of the RCIPS issued 40 traffic tickets for various traffic offences (over the weekend 22/23)

1 Speeding Ticket

1 Cell phone ticket

13 Seatbelt tickets

25 other Traffic Offences

“Officers of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) will continue to be vigilant and ticket those who are non-compliant of the Law and Regulations; motorists appear to be compliant, and it is encouraging to see the media- public-education campaign having a positive effect,” said Superintendent Adrian Seales.

The new offence of using a mobile telephone while operating a vehicle has been added to the Traffic Regulations and carries a $150 fine.

The only exceptions in using mobile phones while driving, include the use of certain approved hands-free devices and using a hand-held phone to call 911 in case of emergency.

The Traffic Law has 12 new regulations and a revised Road Code. It provides a guide to the conduct of all road users, including pedestrians, animal riders, motorbike users and bicyclists.

The new Road Code shows the correct way to maneuver around a roundabout. There are illustrations showing the meaning of road signs. Other areas covered in the law include traffic fines, the correct level of tint to vehicle windows and a new categorisation of motor vehicles that includes certain solely electric-powered cars that can be used on our roads. Police officers can now issue tickets to persons who park in disabled parking spots, without the required blue  ‘Disabled Person Badge’.

Driving instructors have to now be properly licensed and regulated although there is a grandfather in place for current driving instructors, who will be subjected to testing from to time to time to determine their suitability to instruct students, Director of Department of Vehicle & Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL) David Dixon said,

Traffic fines have also been revised.

“For example, using a vehicle without registration plates was $25. This is now increased to $100. Failing to obey traffic signal/signs was $25 and will be increased to $200,” Mr. Dixon added.

All vehicles fees — from inspection to annual licences — have been increased. In some cases, vehicles have been categorised and grouped to allow for a fairer fee structure based on weight.

“A bigger car with a bigger seating capacity has more impact on the roads. So we adjusted the fees accordingly,” Mr. Dixon said.

For instance, the licensing fee for regular sedans or cars not exceeding 2,500 cc or four seats has increased from $160 to $180 for 12 months. SUVs or vehicles exceeding 2,500 cc and not exceeding eight seats excluding the driver are now $200 per annum. Hummers have been classed into two categories — there is a grouping for H1 Hummers, as distinct from all other types. H1 Hummers are $1000 and all other types are now $500 for one year’s licensing.

The other significant change in the grouping is private trucks exceeding 4,000 lbs but not exceeding 8,500 lbs gross weight.  These trucks annual licensing fee will now be $400 a year.

In addition, Group 5 was removed from the driver’s licence group relating to motor scooters, as these were best suited for the Group 1 class of driver’s license. Another significant change to the Law addresses Group 1A motor cycle licence.

“Regulation 8 of the Traffic Regulation now requires persons to produce to the examiner proof that they held a full Group 1 licence for a motor cycle of an engine capacity not exceeding 125 cc for a period not exceeding one year prior to their application. They must also successfully complete a basic rider-safety course approved by the Director. This is a change from the previous law, which required a person to have a Group 1 licence for a period of two years before qualifying to upgrade to a Group 1A,” Mr. Dixon explained.

Clamping of cars is now illegal but they can be towed; speeding in a school zone and failing to comply with instructions from utility or road repair workers are now ticketable offences.

The fine for illegal parking is $100 and in the event the car is towed, there is a towing fee of $40, and a $10 daily pound fee for which the owner is responsible. The Royal Cayman Islands Police is the only agency that has the authority to have a vehicle towed

“As long as the public has access to a parking lot, then they must follow the law; otherwise they are committing an offence and if they are parked illegally or in an unsafe manner, the police will have the authority to ticket or tow the vehicle,” Dixon said.

Motorists must comply to the 15 mph speed limit when the lights are flashing in School Zones or road markings or signs are posted. The offence is a $200 fine.

Drivers must now obey utility workers.

The Law states, “A person who, on approaching road works referred to in subsection, (2), does not obey all directional signals and signs, whether verbal, manual or automated, given to him by –(a) a person authorized to man such place; or (b) equipment placed at such road works, has committed an offence.”

“The Police were getting a lot of complaints that drivers were unnecessarily putting utility workers at risk by deliberately disobeying their directions.  The police have the ability to prosecute the public if they endanger these workers when they are carrying out road work,” Mr. Dixon explained.

A lot of this information we have posted before but we make no apologies for repeating it.