Foreigner fined for no driver’s licence

A returning resident was cautioned to keep abreast of current affairs in Jamaica when she attended Wednesday's sitting of the Traffic Court at the St Catherine Parish Court.

The US resident shared with Parish Judge Kahon Lamey that she was not aware of the changes to the Road Traffic Act, as she has not been to the island in 27 years. The woman attended court to answer to two charges: failing to produce licence at the constable's request; and driving without insurance certificate.

"Your Honour, I did not know that it had changed. I did not have my licence, I just left my house to bring my mother to the hospital. I went to the station 24 hours to show them my licence and they said I should still go to court," the returning resident explained.

But Lamey replied, "Ignorance of the law is not a defence."

The returning resident was then fined $2,500 or two days' imprisonment for failing to produce licence at the constable's request. On the count of driving without insurance certificate, the resident is to return to court on June 24, with a certified copy of the insurance to show to the court.

- T.T.