A public awareness campaign highlighting the increased traffic fines and penalties now in effect under the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025, will soon commence. photo: VINO/file

In a Facebook post, the Roads Policing Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) announced that during this campaign, officers will focus on the updated penalty amounts for common traffic offences and remind motorists of the importance of complying with the law. Photo: Facebook

In a Facebook post, the Roads Policing Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) announced that during this campaign, officers will focus on the updated penalty amounts for common traffic offences and remind motorists of the importance of complying with the law.

The amended Act introduces several important updates that the public should be aware of, including new offences and significantly increased penalties for reckless driving behaviours.

Increased traffic penalities

As previously reported by Virgin Islands News Online, some of the new summary offences include:  

- Overtaking on a corner or intersection (Section 31A): fine not exceeding $1,500  

- Failing to remain stationary to allow a police officer to perform his or her duties (Section 39A): fine not exceeding $750 or imprisonment for up to 6 months  

- Riding a motorcycle without a helmet: fine increased from $100 to $750 

- Driving an uninsured vehicle: fine increased from $50 to $300  

- Failing to stop at a red light: penalty of $500  

- Using a vehicle that produces excessive noise (over 75 decibels): penalty of $1,000  

- Owning or driving a motor vehicle with window film, tint, or any obscuring device that exceeds the prescribed limit without a permit: fixed penalty of $150 per glass   

The Act was passed by the House of Assembly in November 2025 and was assented to on October 2, 2025. 

This amended legislation introduces several key changes intended to enhance road safety, modernise enforcement, and promote responsible motoring.