Get to know the New Traffic Laws: electric cars, vehicle categories, illegal parking, speeding in a school zone and …

Electric cars and vehicle categories

While 90 per cent of the Traffic Law remains the same, there are significant changes to some sections, including the re-categorisation of vehicles to include electric cars and the regrouping of vehicles to distinguish between sedan, SUVs, Hummers and different trucks weights.

One of the major changes in the new law is the removal of the word “motor” (vehicle) to allow for electric vehicles.

“The Traffic Law(2003 Revision) served this country well for several years, however, the time had come for an overhaul and enhancement to make the law more reflective of the current traffic situation on our roads and to take into account the impact of today’s technology,” said Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Department of Vehicle & Drivers’ Licensing Hon. Juliana O-Connor-Connolly.

“As a result of some major changes, there are now definitions of terms such as electrically powered vehicle and mobile telephone,” she noted.

The new law addresses two types of electric vehicles – regular – those that can exceed 30 mph, and Low Speed Electric Vehicles (LSV) or Neighbourhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) whose top speed is registered at 30 mph. NEVs are to be used only in speed zones of 30 mph or less. An “electrically powered vehicle” is capable of travelling in excess of 30 mph and is registered and licensed as an ordinary vehicle that has a combustible engine. In other words, there is no differentiation between an ordinary vehicle and an electrically powered vehicle.

Director of DVDL David Dixon said, “Low Speed Electric Vehicles (LSV), or Neighbourhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) will only be able to operate in 25 mph zones throughout Little Cayman and on the Old West Bay Road, where the speed limit is expected to be reduced to 30 mph.

“If those vehicles were to operate within speed zones of 40 mph or 50 mph, they would be committing the offence of obstructing traffic while moving, contrary to Section 68 (i) and 93 (1) (q) Traffic Law, 2011.  This section states, ‘It is the duty of every person driving any kind of vehicle upon a road…to avoid obstructing other vehicles whether the vehicle under control is moving or stationary.’  This is a traffic ticket-able offence under The Traffic Ticket Regulations, 2012,” he added.

The importance of categories

In addition to allowing electric cars to be licensed, 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.

Expect to be ticketed for illegal parking, speeding in a school zone and …

With the new Traffic Law and Regulations coming into effect on 21 September, there are a few amendments that the public should be aware of, such as: clamping of cars will be 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.

While your vehicle wheels may no longer be clamped, this does not mean that the police will not have the authority to ticket or tow or do both, under Section 115 of the New Traffic Law.

“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,” said Director of Driver and Vehicle Licensing David Dixon.

“The police will be looking out for four things – abandoned vehicles; parking in an unlawful or unsafe manner, such as parking on yellow line; parking in a no parking area or in handicapped  space, or if a vehicle was involved in accident,” he explained.

This means that persons who park illegally in a handicapped spot – that is, a vehicle doesn’t have a disabled parking permit — or park in a designated no parking zone or on a yellow line, can be ticketed, whether they are in a parking lot, such as a grocery store or on the street.

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 public should note that  Royal Cayman Islands Police is the only agency that has the authority to have a vehicle towed. This means that if a company wants a car towed, they will call the police who will come to the complainant. The police will then assess the situation and take the appropriate action,” he explained.

School Zones are now properly gazetted under the new Traffic Law, which means that motorists should comply to the 15 mph speed limit when the lights are flashing or road markings or signs are posted. The offence now draws a $200 fine.

Another change in the Traffic Law is that under section 117, utility workers now have some protection under the law when carrying out road works.

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.

Remember –  Road safety, it’s everyone responsibility! – for more information on the new Traffic Law, Regulations and Road Code please call 945-8355

Remember –  Road safety, it’s everyone responsibility!