Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin is pushing for immediate driver's licence suspensions in fatal crash cases, arguing that the current legal framework fails grieving families while investigations and court proceedings drag on for months.
According to Antigua News Room, 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 at the committee stage.
Benjamin told lawmakers he has instructed legal drafters to prepare additional amendments to traffic laws that would empower 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 said.
He criticised delays in the current legal process, noting that drivers involved in fatal collisions can continue driving for months while investigations and court proceedings remain unresolved.
The new Fatal Accidents Bill repeals and replaces legislation dating back to 1924. Benjamin argued the century-old law no longer reflects modern realities and was long overdue for reform.
A key feature of the new law is the introduction of bereavement damages, which allow 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 capping those damages at EC$5,000, calling the figure inadequate for families coping with devastating losses. He cited recent road fatalities and the particular hardship faced by relatives of victims who were parents and primary breadwinners.
Lawmakers subsequently amended the bill to include children among those eligible to receive bereavement damages and agreed to set the maximum bereavement award at EC$20,000. Clause 4 of the bill was also removed prior to final approval.
The legislation defines who may bring claims following a fatality and broadens the categories of dependents eligible to seek compensation. Qualifying claimants include spouses, parents, children, grandchildren and other eligible dependents.
Benjamin said the law is intended to provide greater protection for families who lose loved ones through the negligence or wrongdoing of others and to ensure 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, which marked the first regular sitting of the new Parliament following the April general election.
