KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Transport and Mining Minister Mike Henry says the new Road Traffic Act is currently going through changes and adjustments and should be passed in the House of Representatives by the end of the year.

“Right now, we’re completing the dotting of the ‘i’s and crossing of the ‘t’s. It contains minor things that we have to adjust, but I can confirm, from the ministry’s point of view, that we will be ready by the end of the year,” he said.

The minister was speaking at a breakfast function hosted by the Project Management Institute Jamaica Chapter (PMIJC), at The Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston on November 2.

Henry said he is hoping that road fatalities will remain below 300 by the end of this year. As at October 31, the figure was 272, some 49 less than the 321 deaths for the similar period last year.

“I really hope that we can maintain that, to be able to say we have achieved under 300. One death is too many anyway. The reality is that I think we’re getting some response from the public,” Henry said.

Among the features of the new Road Traffic Act are a restriction on handheld devices and a requirement for drivers to have a licence in their possession while operating a vehicle. Fines for breaches will also be increased.