Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin says motorists involved in fatal crashes caused by reckless or dangerous driving should have their licences suspended immediately, arguing that the current system leaves grieving families without justice while investigations drag on.
Benjamin made the remarks in Parliament on Tuesday during debate on the Fatal Accidents Bill 2026, legislation that was subsequently passed after amendments were made during the committee stage.
The Attorney General said he has instructed legal drafters to prepare additional amendments to traffic laws that would allow authorities to suspend a driver’s licence on the spot where it is clear that a fatal collision resulted from dangerous, careless or reckless driving.
“Wherever a car is used in that kind of fashion and somebody loses his life, clearly licences should be suspended on the spot,” Benjamin told lawmakers.
He criticized what he described as delays in the legal process, noting that in some cases drivers involved in fatal collisions continue driving for months while investigations and court proceedings remain unresolved.
Benjamin’s comments came as Parliament debated and approved legislation repealing and replacing a Fatal Accidents Act that dates back to 1924. He argued that the century-old law no longer reflects modern realities and needed significant reform.
A major feature of the new law is the introduction of bereavement damages, allowing certain family members to seek compensation for grief and emotional suffering following the wrongful death of a loved one.
During debate, Benjamin objected to an initial proposal that would have capped bereavement damages at EC$5,000, describing the amount as inadequate for families coping with devastating losses.
He cited recent road fatalities and the suffering endured by relatives left behind, particularly where victims were parents and primary breadwinners.
The legislation establishes who may bring claims following a fatality and broadens the categories of dependents eligible to seek compensation. Eligible claimants include spouses, parents, children, grandchildren and other qualifying dependents.
Lawmakers later amended the bill to include children among those eligible to receive bereavement damages and agreed to set a maximum bereavement award of EC$20,000. Clause 4 of the bill was also removed before final approval.
Benjamin said the legislation is intended to provide greater protection for families who lose loved ones through the negligence or wrongdoing of others and to ensure that dependents are not left without legal recourse.
The Fatal Accidents Bill was among several pieces of legislation considered during Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives, the first regular sitting of the new Parliament following the April general election.