By: Paul Sarran
January 13, 2026
Madam Prime Minister, many Trinidadians are struggling to understand the direction in which the country is being led, particularly as it relates to the recent decision to significantly increase fines under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act. Lawlessness is no longer an abstract concern in Trinidad and Tobago; it has become normalized to the point where citizens almost expect disorder as part of daily life. In much the same way that Carnival is deeply woven into our national identity, indiscipline on the roads has become an unfortunate cultural reality. This does not excuse reckless behaviour, but it does require thoughtful, balanced governance rather than abrupt policy shifts that feel disconnected from the lived realities of ordinary people. When policies appear sudden and severe, without adequate social grounding, they risk deepening frustration instead of encouraging cooperation.
While many citizens agree that road safety must be taken seriously, there is legitimate concern about whether stiff penalties alone can correct behaviour in a society facing severe economic and infrastructural challenges. The current approach appears to mirror models adopted in developed countries, where roads are well maintained, public transport systems are reliable, and citizens generally earn wages that allow them to absorb fines without facing financial ruin. Trinidad and Tobago does not currently share those conditions. Major roadways are riddled with potholes, faded markings, poor lighting, and long-standing structural damage that motorists have complained about for years with little visible improvement. In such circumstances, vehicle wear and tear is inevitable, and motorists are often placed in situations where compliance becomes difficult through no fault of their own.
The concern, therefore, is not merely about enforcement, but about fairness. When citizens are penalized for vehicle conditions that are directly linked to neglected infrastructure, the system risks appearing punitive rather than corrective. A cracked windshield from flying debris, suspension damage from cratered roads, or worn tyres caused by uneven surfaces are not always the result of irresponsibility. This perception of unfairness is amplified in an economy where opportunities are shrinking, the cost of living continues to rise, and many households are struggling to meet basic needs such as food, utilities, and transportation. A policy that assumes financial capacity without accounting for widespread hardship can easily be interpreted as oppressive, even if that is not its stated intention.
This sense of imbalance is further deepened by unresolved employment concerns. Only months ago, the Government announced a major recruitment drive, promising over twenty thousand jobs. For many applicants, this initiative represented hope, stability, and a chance to participate meaningfully in national development rather than remain dependent or marginalized. To date, however, there has been little to no communication regarding outcomes, timelines, or follow-up. Silence in the face of such expectations erodes trust and breeds cynicism. It also raises an unavoidable question: how can citizens be expected to pay doubled fines when many remain unemployed or underemployed, with no clear pathway to economic security or upward mobility?
The assertion that increased fines will only affect lawbreakers simplifies a much more complex social reality. Laws do not operate in a vacuum; they function within economic, cultural, and institutional contexts. When enforcement intensifies without parallel investment in education, infrastructure, and opportunity, compliance becomes a privilege rather than a standard. Those with financial means can absorb penalties with little long-term impact, while those living paycheque to paycheque face compounding hardship, including the risk of further legal trouble. Gradual implementation, supported by widespread public education campaigns and visible improvements to road conditions, may have fostered greater cooperation and understanding among motorists rather than resistance and resentment.
There is also concern about process and transparency. Policies of such wide-reaching impact benefit from public consultation and clear communication. Introducing sweeping changes through legal notices, without prior national discussion or inclusion in major budgetary debates, creates the impression of governance by surprise rather than consensus. Even well-intentioned measures can lose public support when citizens feel excluded from the decision-making process. Democratic governance thrives when people feel informed, respected, and given the opportunity to understand not just what is being done, but why it is being done and how it will be fairly enforced.
Road safety is unquestionably important. Too many lives have been lost, and families shattered, due to reckless driving and preventable accidents. Every citizen understands the grief that follows such tragedies. However, deterrence should not be the sole pillar of policy. A holistic approach would combine reasonable enforcement with improved infrastructure, consistent public education, efficient public transport, and genuine economic opportunity. Education in schools, community-based road safety programmes, better signage, and timely road repairs all contribute to safer behaviour without relying solely on fear. Fear of punishment may change behaviour temporarily, but long-term cultural change requires trust, inclusion, and shared responsibility between the State and its people.
Madam Prime Minister, leadership is not only about being firm; it is also about being fair, responsive, and empathetic. Many citizens are not asking for lawlessness to be tolerated or dangerous behaviour to be excused. They are asking to be seen, heard, and supported during an exceptionally difficult period in the nation’s history. Policies that feel disconnected from everyday struggles risk widening the gap between Government and governed, weakening social cohesion at a time when unity is most needed. At this moment, national confidence depends on reassurance that enforcement will be matched by reform, dialogue, and visible investment in the wellbeing of all citizens. A safer and more disciplined society cannot be built on punishment alone, but on fairness, opportunity, and a shared commitment to national progress.
Author Paul Sarran, holder of a BSc in Political Science from the University of the West Indies and is a young political scientist from Trinidad & Tobago.
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