Head of the RVIPF Traffic Division Inspector Dariel Robinson shares ways that RVIPF and DMV can work closer together in the collection of fines for tickets with Acting Commissioner of Department of Motor Vehicles Kye Rymer. He also hands over vehicle and motor scooter safety brochures for customers at the department’s office at R&R Malone Complex. Photo: RVIPF

Head of the Traffic Division Inspector Dariel Robinson says the division is now preparing to forward files to Magistrate’s Court for those that have been delinquent in paying their tickets this year.

 “The law allows persons 21 days after receiving a ticket to either pay the penalty or challenge the ticket before the court. Once the 21 days has expired the individual will be summons to appear before the court and will likely pay a fine that is double the penalty of the original ticket. Many of the outstanding tickets have long expired the 21 days grace period. We are now making all efforts to collect on these tickets through the courts during the month of September, therefore persons are advised to go the Magistrate’s Court and pay for outstanding tickets,” he said.

Robinson noted that in January of this year, a male motorist was stopped in the Belle Vue area for not wearing a seatbeat and ticketed. The $100 fine was not paid. He was issued a summons and at his court in appearance on August 22, he pleaded guilty. He was fined $200 by the court.

 Robinson noted that of the 816 tickets issued in the first quarter of this year, 417 tickets remain outstanding; 409 remained unpaid for the second quarter and another 387 for the third quarter. Of those, 75 percent were for seatbelt and cellular phone violations. 

In an August press release, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force announced a crackdown on the number of traffic violations around the Territory. In that crackdown, traffic checks and patrols resulted in close to 100 traffic tickets being issued and five persons reported in July.

Operations are to continue throughout the coming months and therefore motorists are encouraged to adhere to the traffic laws and signs. Persons are to ensure that their vehicle particulars are up to date and that while operating a vehicle, seatbelts are in use and cellular phones are not.