Newman said he had noted two particular tickets: one which fined a motorist $6,000 for stopping 'in the left lane, sat in his vehicle kissing a female under the no stopping sign', and another issued to a public passenger vehicle (PPV) operator which asserted 'wind screen tinted excessively', which attracted a $500,000.
"Something is wrong with our lawmakers and those persons who craft the road traffic (law). A man has a tint over the required 35 shade and that man is charged 500,000, if that is not crime, if that is not wickedness in high places, it is nothing," he told OBSERVER ONLINE.
"Now, I come out of my vehicle and kiss my wife and my girlfriend for that matter, wishing her goodbye, going off to work and I am charged $6,000, now the point must be made, it's a no stopping sign, but that's a bit much. We are doing a series of town hall meetings, we need a town cry out for international help to dissect the law. This act was crafted to plug the holes in the budget for $1 trillion," Newman said.
Under the Road Traffic Act and Regulations, 'operating a motor vehicle specified in Regulation 259 (1) in time when motor vehicle cannot be clearly discerned at a distance of 150 meters' attracts a fine of $500,000.
This is among several monetary penalties outlined in the Act and Regulations, including a $10,000 fine for motorists who use a wireless communication device while driving as well as smoke marijuana while attempting to or driving.
"This act is not meant to reduce fatalities, it is meant as a money-making ploy," Newman said.
"Some serious investigation needs to be done at the highest level in regards to the new road Traffic act, and I am calling on international bodies to dissect the act because if is not done, and done with alacrity, then serious things are going to happen in this country of ours," he further warned.
Under the new Road Traffic Act and Regulations, which took effect on February 1, a motorist who fails to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle will be fined $25,000.
According to the Regulations, driving a vehicle closer than 50 metres behind an emergency vehicle or stopping a vehicle within 100 metres of where the emergency vehicle has stopped will attract a fine of $5,000.
Motorcars and cycles whose muffler systems exceed 85 decibels will attract a fine of $10,000, while small trucks must not exceed 90, and large trucks, 95 decibels. Operating a motor vehicle whose overall width or length exceeds that specified in Regulation 259 (1), can attract a fine of $50,000.
Drivers who have modified their vehicles by removing the silencer or changing the system are encouraged to correct these parts in accordance with the Regulations.
Motorcyclists will also be fined $10,000 for doing a ‘wheelie’ on roads.
Other monetary penalties include a charge of $20,000 for persons operating a vehicle that is not insured, $15,000 for operating a motor vehicle fitted with or which displays lamps emitting a blue light, and $10,000 for using a revolving lamp used to warn other motorists and indicate priority of movement in traffic.
Unlicensed driving schools can be fined up to $100,000 in the Parish Court, while failure to prominently display the valid licence or certified copy of licence of a driving school will attract a charge of $10,000.
A fine of up to $300,000 or imprisonment for up to six months will be given for falsely advertising that a person is the holder of a licence to operate a driving school.
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