The issuing of hundreds of arrest warrants for the non-payment of traffic fines has prompted the RCIPS to remind motorists of their responsibility when it comes to paying the fines on time.

Since the new Traffic Law came into force last September, 313 (three hundred and thirteen) arrest warrants have been issued for non-payment of traffic fines  – that’s 27.4 % of all traffic tickets issued.

Chief Inspector Angelique Howell states that the conditions of payment are prominently displayed on the traffic ticket when it is issued by the officers. She is encouraging people who receive tickets to read them carefully so that they fully understand the implications of failing to comply with the conditions. CI Howell has also issued an instruction to officers to further emphasise to offenders the need to comply with the payment terms and court date cited.

“The ticket can be paid any time up to 10am on the date cited on the ticket,” she said. “This date is three weeks from the date of issue.

“Anyone who fails to pay the ticket, or wishes to contest it, must appear in traffic court on the date cited. Failure to pay or appear will result in the issue of an arrest warrant. The issue of such a warrant has serious implications for the offender as he or she will be arrested and immediately brought before the courts to be dealt with.”