Authority, police to work together

THE new Road Traffic Act will see police and the Road Transport Authority working together to implement and enforce it, says officer in-charge of the Boroko traffic headquarters Joseph Salle.
He told The National that the authority would be responsible for issuing traffic infringement notices (TIN) while police had the powers to arrest offenders.
“So if we are going to put up a road check, there will also be the presence of the RTA people because they will be responsible to issue and manage the TINs and collect fines, unlike in the past,” Salle said.
He explained that this was unlike when they were using the old Motor Traffic Act where police were responsible for arresting, issuing of TINs and collecting of fines.
“RTA is managing the whole Act. So if there is a road check, police must be present so they must not be alone, we must work together,” Salle said.
He said this was part of an agreement between the police and RTA, that the RTA would manage the money that came from fines while police would focus on the arrest and later RTA would assist police with logistics and resources.
“RTA enforcers also have the powers to impound vehicles and refer drivers to police.”