No-show forces court to dismiss traffic infringement cases

AROUND 87 per cent of traffic infringement cases before the Waigani Traffic Court last year had to be dismissed because those accused failed to turn up to court, an official says.
Traffic Court police prosecutor Sgt John Wamugl told The National that the cases had to be struck out after defendants failed to turn up in court for weeks and months.
Of the 854 traffic cases last year, 751 had to be dismissed.
Sgt Wamugl said most offenders were drivers of public transport vehicles and taxis. The other reason for the dismissal of cases was because complainants showed little or no interest in helping police prosecute their cases.
The court managed to fine offenders in 67 traffic cases – 40 for driving without due care and attention.
Most of the cases dismissed were for those charged with driving without due care and attention, driving without a crew or public transport permit and driving without a licence. Sgt Wamugl said there was no permanent traffic court magistrate at the moment.
Magistrate Garry Unjo has been hearing traffic court matters since the beginning of the year.