Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C., says the government has received numerous complaints about alleged bribery involving traffic police officers and is preparing to address the issue more forcefully.
During his Issues in the News programme, Nandlall said the authorities are not unaware of reports that some ranks are demanding money from motorists during traffic stops.
He said the matter has become serious enough to warrant closer attention, while making it clear that drivers also have a responsibility not to encourage the practice.
According to the Attorney General, bribery cannot happen unless both parties take part, and motorists should resist the temptation to hand over cash to avoid lawful penalties.
He stressed that many traffic offences do not give police the power to detain a driver, noting that in most instances the proper procedure is for an officer to issue a ticket.
Nandlall urged members of the public who are approached for bribes to use their phones to capture evidence and expose the misconduct instead of quietly paying.
He said if a motorist is wrongfully detained over a traffic matter, that person can report the issue or seek legal representation, adding that the matter can be challenged through the courts.
The Attorney General also said the move toward ticketed traffic offences is intended to reduce opportunities for abuse at the roadside and bring greater order to traffic enforcement.
While acknowledging that some drivers still choose to pay, Nandlall said the volume of complaints reaching the authorities shows the issue cannot be dismissed.
He indicated that the government intends to speak more comprehensively on the matter in the near future as part of broader efforts to deal with corruption and misconduct in traffic enforcement.
