ROCK, Trelawny – In a move aimed at curbing the growing practice of traffic offenders who bypass paying a fine and instead burden the court system in hopes of receiving reduced penalties, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck is urging judges to impose stiffer fines – including the maximum allowed under the law.

Chuck made the call, Friday, while addressing the commissioning ceremony for 19 new justices of the peace for Trelawny. The event was held at Glistening Waters Restaurant.

The justice minister lamented that too many motorists have turned the courts into what he described as an inappropriate “collection point” for unpaid traffic fines, rather than using the avenue only to challenge tickets they believe were wrongly issued.