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ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, January 4, 2020 (CMC) – Motorists in Antigua and Barbuda, who have been “observed and caught”, by police, using a cell phone while driving, will have to pay a fine of EC$500 immediately, the Ministry of Legal Affairs has said.
In a statement, it explained that the amendment to the Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Act 2018 has gone into effect, making it an offence of careless driving, if caught holding and using a hand-held mobile device.
“The Vehicle and Road Traffic (Enforcement and Administration) (Amendment) Order 2019 makes it an offence for driving and using handheld devices. Contrary regulation 4 of Vehicles and Road Traffic (Mobile Devices) Regulations of 2019 permits police officers to issue a ticket (fixed penalty of 500) if you are observed holding and using a mobile device, while driving,” the statement said.
It added that the legislation makes it an offence for “individuals to view, send or compose an electronic message”, and that police are permitted to issue a ticket, with a fixed penalty of EC$500, “if you are observed holding and using a mobile device, while driving”.
