The Island Traffic Authority has begun to suspend driver’s licenses for motorists who have amassed 10 or more demerit points on their driver’s license record as of Tuesday (May 2) in accordance with the Road Traffic Act and the Road Traffic Regulations.

In a statement on Wednesday (May 3), the ITA said that over 100 notices have been issued to persons, who have amassed 10 or more demerits points.

Motorists who have 10 to 13 demerit points will have their license suspended for 6 months, while motorists with 14 to 19 demerit points will receive a one-year suspension.

Motorists with 20 or more demerit points will have their license suspended for two years.

Motorists who receive a suspension notice will be required to submit their license to the ITA within 21 days. Failure to do so will be considered an offence under the Road Traffic Act.

The ITA is also advising motorists to update their address with the TAJ in order to prevent the notice from being issued to an old address.

Kenute Hare, director of the ITA explained that once a notice is issued, a copy is sent to the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) and the Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ).

“Also, in the Traffic Ticket Management System (TTMS), the suspension will be uploaded there, so the police that are on the ground will know, using their hand-held device, that the driver’s license is suspended,” he said.

The director added that motorists can avoid traffic tickets by adhering to road traffic laws.