Road Traffic and Vehicle Amendment Act of 2025

The Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025, of Saint Christopher and Nevis, introduces substantial revisions to Cap. 15.06, aiming to enhance road safety and enforcement. The amendment incorporates new definitions, including “anonymous evidence,” which allows witnesses to conceal their identity under specific circumstances, “automated notice,” referring to notices generated by automated systems for traffic violations, “evidence by affidavit,” permitting written sworn statements as evidence, and “road safety incentive,” which establishes a reward system for individuals submitting admissible video footage leading to successful convictions.

The amendment significantly increases fines for several existing offenses. The fine for failing to comply with traffic directions given by a police officer (Section 39) is doubled from $2,000 to $4,000. Penalties for driving under the influence (Section 40) are also substantially increased, with first-time offenders facing a maximum fine of $10,000 and up to one year in prison, and subsequent offenders facing a maximum fine of $20,000 and up to two years in prison. Fines for other offenses, such as failing to stop for pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing (Section 41), are also doubled.

The Act strengthens penalties for reckless or dangerous driving (Section 48). It outlines graduated penalties based on the severity of the offense, including whether bodily injury resulted, and differentiates between summary conviction and conviction on indictment. Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties, including larger fines and longer prison sentences, culminating in permanent license disqualification upon a third conviction. Similar tiered penalties are introduced for driving without due care and attention (Section 49), with increasing fines and potential imprisonment for repeat offenses.

A key element of the amendment is the introduction of technology in traffic enforcement. Section 39 is amended to explicitly permit the use of camera and sensor systems for capturing speeding violations. A new section, 83A, establishes the framework for “automated notices” for speeding and red-light violations. These notices are issued to the registered owner and serve as both notification and formal complaint, streamlining the prosecution process. Existing procedures for handling notices of intended prosecution are extended to apply to these automated notices as well.

The amendment introduces a novel public reporting mechanism, creating Part VIII of the Act, which allows individuals to submit video footage of suspected traffic offenses to the police. This footage, if deemed admissible in court according to established evidentiary rules, can be used in prosecutions. The Act outlines procedures for handling this evidence, including provisions for anonymous submission and the presentation of supporting evidence through affidavits.

Finally, the amendment establishes a “road safety incentive” scheme, which rewards individuals whose submitted video footage leads to convictions. The court can order the convicted perpetrator to pay the individual who provided the footage a sum of up to $5,000. This payment is enforceable as a court-ordered penalty and is in addition to other penalties imposed. The Act also introduces provisions prohibiting the solicitation or extortion related to video footage of offenses, with substantial penalties for those who attempt to manipulate or suppress evidence. The Third Schedule is also amended to include specific fines for disregarding traffic signs (Section 49(1)(c)) and violations of child safety regulations (Section 4 of the Vehicle and Road Traffic Regulations). Overall, the amendment represents a comprehensive effort to modernize traffic laws and improve road safety in Saint Christopher and Nevis.