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21.07.19
10 Deputy G.J. Truscott of St. Brelade of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding
mobile speed cameras: (OQ.168/2021)
Given that, in adopting P.91/2020, the Assembly agreed that legislation should be brought forward allowing the Honorary Police to use mobile speed cameras unattended, will the Minister advise when this legislation will be lodged for debate?
Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour (The Minister for Infrastructure):
I recently approved a road law project to address requirements of P.91/2020 and other known shortcomings in our current road and traffic laws to ensure our legislation is fit for purpose. I believe reviewing speed enforcement options for the police is best served as part of this new project, which is now resourced and ready to start. Officers will be working closely with Parishes, Justice and Home Affairs, and other relevant stakeholders to bring new legislation before the States in a timely manner. Due to the extent and complexity of this project I cannot commit to a completion data at this time.
- Deputy G.J. Truscott:
There are a number of speeding hotspots in St. Brelade and we are keen to deploy the radar devices as soon as possible to effectively dampen down those areas. I am disappointed to hear the Minister effectively launch something new here. We have only got, effectively, 9 months working left in this Assembly, could he not be a little bit more specific of when that legislation could come in front of the Assembly?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I regret not. It will be by the end of this year but we will be working obviously with my colleagues in the Parishes and our colleagues in Home Affairs to bring this forward as soon as possible.
- Deputy I. Gardiner :
Would the Minister confirm to the Assembly that this Assembly will be able to debate and make a decision on this legislation during this term?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Indeed. By the end of this year we should have all the information that we require.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
Would the Minister remind us whether he supported the proposition and also whether he remembered that a number of States Members asked for more detail of this because the proposition, as it was, was very thin on any detail and it seemed to almost be rubberstamped by the Assembly even though his own department since has been saying that many aspects of the proposal are unworkable?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Yes, excellent question. It is a very complex subject. We will need many changes in the law to bring it forward. Regarding the devices, the devices would need to be calibrated, we would need to employ an expert to do this work, and obviously many changes in the law to bring it forward. It is very complex. Whether it is needed or not, I work at the discretion of the States Assembly. As the Deputy has quite rightly pointed out, it was a majority vote that this be brought forward.
- Deputy M. Tadier :
In the meantime, would the Minister perhaps advise any constituents, wherever they are in the Island, that they do have an elected Honorary Police Force who are answerable to the Parish and who are theoretically elected by the Parish., and that if people in certain areas of Parishes want more speed checks to be done then they simply need to talk to the Honorary Police, and perhaps the Constable or Chef de Police, about getting that done? Is that a good way forward in the meantime?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Absolutely. I welcome the Deputy 's remarks, both Honorary and States Police are fully trained and qualified to use the speed guns that they have at the moment.
- The Connétable of St. John :
The Minister has referred to the project to review the Road Traffic Law. My understanding from a briefing we received is that could take some 5 years to complete. Is the speed camera going to be taken as a separate matter or combined with the 5-year project?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I believe it would be a separate project but it is multifaceted and very complex. We will be working with colleagues to bring this forward as soon as we can.
- The Connétable of St. John :
Does the Minister have dedicated resource to work on this project?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Funding has been identified for this project, yes.
- Connétable R. Vibert of St. Peter :
Would the Minister agree that part of the complication with regard to this legislation is that not a single U.K. police force operates equipment of the type that was described by the proposer of the proposition?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I believe that to be correct. A lot of it is delegated to qualified technicians who maintain all of the equipment on the stationary units and then forward that to the relevant authorities. I believe that to be the case.
- The Connétable of St. Peter :
Would the Minister agree that in fact this type of mobile camera possibly does not offer anything in addition to the current devices that both the Honorary Police and States Police use on a regular basis?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I believe this is an enhancement on systems being used at present but obviously there are limitations, as the Constable has pointed out.
- Deputy G.J. Truscott:
Just to speed things along - please excuse the pun - could the Minister apply some pressure to the process and do his utmost to bring the necessary legislation for debate by December?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Indeed. As I have just mentioned, the funds have been allocated for this, so it will be brought forward in a timely manner.