Kingston drivers want traffic ticket day too

Taxi operators in Kingston and St Andrew are calling for a dedicated traffic ticket day in the Corporate Area, arguing that drivers with outstanding tickets deserve the same opportunity now being offered in St Catherine.

Set for March 4, 2026, it will give motorists who received tickets in the parish from February 1, 2018 onward and missed their court date, a structured opportunity to have outstanding matters addressed. However, drivers are required to apply by midnight this Friday in order to benefit.

Director of Client Services, Communications and Information at the Court Administration Division, Kediesh Jarrett-Fletcher, explained that motorists are given a specific period to settle tickets at the tax office.

"When you get that ticket, you have a specific number of days within which to pay it at the tax office. If you don't pay it within that time, then there's a date on the ticket that you have to appear in court," she said.

Jarrett-Fletcher added that motorists typically have 30 days to pay a ticket. If they miss both the payment window and the scheduled court date, the matter becomes outstanding and a warrant could be issued.

While St Catherine drivers prepare for the initiative, some Kingston taxi operators say they are struggling under mounting fines and warrants.

"Mi can't work because dem tek set pon me and the amount a warrant dem have out," one driver told THE WEEKEND STAR.

He said he recently paid $166,000 in fines and had his vehicle impounded. "Dem tek weh mi car the other day but how mi fi pay the tickets?"

He claimed some drivers face even harsher realities. "Last year mi go court me see man down deh with millions worth a ticket. One man alone have 36 warrant and the officer say him have 25 more warrants fi get."

A ride-share operator said he has over $80,000 in tickets, and would like his day in court to have them addressed.

"Some of the tickets have incorrect information and most time its just police a abuse them power," the drive said.

He conceded that he has tickets for which he has not paid the fines, and have also missed his court dates.

"Mi intend fi pay it, yes, but mi did miss the court date... Mi nuh know why St Catherine drivers deserve the forgiveness more than we... The same way dem can get a ticket day, we must can get it too," the driver said.