Gov’t to crack down on taxi drivers

Taxi and livery drivers in the Virgin Islands are officially on notice: If they rack up violations, they will rack up points and risk being taken off the road.

The Ministry of Communications and Works announced earlier this month that it has approved a new Demerit Point System for transport operators, granting the Taxi and Livery Commission authority to enforce the new regime “with immediate effect.”

“A demerit point is a mark recorded against a taxi or livery operator for poor conduct or improper operation of a transportation-for-hire motor vehicle,” the commission explained in a Feb. 4 press release.

The scheme is designed to promote safe, lawful and professional conduct in the industry, according to the commission.

“The system also aims to identify, penalise and deter repeat offenders of traffic and regulatory laws, while streamlining disciplinary and enforcement processes,” the release added.

The ministry’s approval was granted under the amended Road Traffic (Taxi and Livery Commission) Regulations, 1997.

Under the new rules, operators start at zero points. Points will be issued for offences tied to violating regulations, unsafe driving practices, poor vehicle condition, intoxication, speeding, licensing violations and other breaches.

Points can be added following convictions, administrative findings by the commission, or determinations of fault in traffic accidents.

Drivers may reduce their point tally after a year with no violations or after completing remedial conditions imposed by the commission.

The commission told the Beacon that points accrue based on the “nature, severity and regulatory risk” associated with each offence.

“The demerit scale ranges from 10 points (minor infractions) to 200 points (major or critical violations) for a single offence,” the agency said in an email.

It also provided two examples.

On the high end, a penalty of 200 points can be levied for allowing an unlicensed operator to drive a taxi or livery vehicle, the commission said.

On the low end, transporting an intoxicated passenger against the objection of other passengers can attract a penalty of 20 points.

Thresholds

Drivers who reach certain point thresholds within a 12-month period are subject to disciplinary actions.

A hundred points can lead to a licence suspension for a month; 200 points for two months; and 300 points for three months — or outright licence revocation.

If a licence is revoked, the operator must meet the criteria of a new applicant before being considered for re-licensing, according to the commission.

“Additionally, any person who breaches a provision of the approved Demerit Point System commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding $500,” the commission warned, adding that convictions may carry additional points.

The commission said it will also maintain a permanent demerit point record for each licensed operator. Operators may inspect their records and obtain copies upon payment of a prescribed fee, which the commission did not disclose.

The Taxi and Livery Commission — the regulatory body for public transport — can be contacted at 468- 4090 or [email protected] for more information.