Government Senator Brian Baig has defended the decision to increase road traffic fines, saying it is about saving lives.
During the debate on the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Bill in the Upper House on Tuesday, Senator Baig said the move did not come about as punishment, but rather to encourage drivers to be more responsible.
He said Trinidad and Tobago must face the reality that reckless driving has become a major problem on the nation’s roads.
“Just Friday gone, last week Friday, you know there was a major accident on the highway in front of Courts there, Megastore. Many cars were involved in that accident, and all because of one reckless drive.”
Senator Baig said he therefore fully supports the government’s decision to increase the road traffic fines. He said this move will also encourage drivers to be more responsible.
“How could you drive without a licence? We must understand that a motor vehicle is not a toy, you know. A motor vehicle is a serious instrument that you use on the roadways. Is that something you go and buy in Toy Hill, you know? And we must understand that.”
During his contribution to the debate, Opposition Senator Dr. Amery Browne criticised the Fixed Penalty Warning System, saying that three business days is an unreasonable timeframe to remedy vehicular defects.
Senator Baig however opposed, stating: “In Bamboo, Mr. President, they have part for everything and anything. That’s why I say I’m so sad to know that our brother, Brother Inshan Ishmael, is not here today because he would have jumped in one time to discredit everything that he has just said. They will get everything and it will get fixed immediately.”
In his contribution, Government Senator David Nakhid said the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2026 gives three aspects: the value of accountability, the value of civility and the value of life. He accused the Opposition of using the increase in traffic fines as a political tool.
“All your life savings depleted because some moron, Parliamentary language, some moron driving without insurance and hit you, and your family end up with all kind of thing. They don’t see the value of that. They will come and give you all kind of the thing – you targeting the poor man. This is not about the poor man. Somebody get killed, that’s not UNC or PNM. That’s a human life lost to recklessness.”
Independent Senator Dr. Desirée Murray also expressed her full support for the amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Bill, noting that defective vehicles can lead to fatal accidents.
“The defects listed are not abstract or arbitrary. They are common and recognisable everyday issues that directly affect visibility, control, and the safety of others on the road. For example, the absence of head lamps, tail lights, or park lights, a defective windscreen wiper, or the lack of a reflecting mirror are matters that can significantly increase the risk of an accident, especially at night or in bad weather.”
Dr. Murray, however, disagreed with the time frame given to motorists to remedy their defects. She said three to seven business days is a relatively short window and suggested 21 business days for minor defects and 42 business days for major defects.