Police Backtrack After Public Outcry — SKN Drivers Get Speeding Fines Voided as Debate Rumbles On
After days of public frustration and online backlash over new speed limit enforcement in St Kitts and Nevis, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) has issued a major clarification — voiding more than one hundred speeding tickets issued under the new photo radar system and promising better public communication moving forward.
The clarification, posted on the Force’s official Facebook page under the heading “PUBLIC CLARIFICATION: SPEED MONITORING & PHOTO RADAR ENFORCEMENT”, acknowledged that the rollout of radar cameras across Old Road Bay and Frigate Bay “could have been clearer” and that public confusion about limits, signage and technology was legitimate.
In their statement, police stressed that the goal was “not to penalise drivers, but to protect lives,” citing multiple road fatalities and an annual rise in serious collisions across the Federation. “Some of these accidents represent families and futures cut short,” the post read. “Others had the potential to do so.”
Still, the Force’s decision to cancel 113 traffic penalties shows just how strong the backlash has been. Over the past week, hundreds of drivers took to social media to complain about fines they said were unfair or unclear. One commenter on the RSCNPF page wrote, “We need to know the limits before being ticketed — not after,” while others questioned whether the speed cameras were properly calibrated or legally approved.
The police now appear to be taking a more collaborative approach. The statement confirmed that the RSCNPF will host a Community Road Safety Forum before month’s end to gather public feedback, as well as publish verified information about all radar systems, speed zones and related laws.
The shift marks a notable softening in tone from last week’s enforcement-focused stance, when officers released data showing cars speeding between 45 and 58 mph in 20 mph zones — sparking debate about whether limits were outdated or signage too inconsistent.
While the clarification may cool tempers, the larger conversation isn’t over. Many residents say the issue goes beyond fines or cameras — it’s about trust, transparency, and modernising road policy for today’s drivers. As one post summed it up, “We all want safer roads. But people can’t follow rules they don’t understand.”
For now, the message from the police is clear: the reset button has been hit. But with new enforcement set to resume from October 21, all eyes will be watching to see whether this next phase brings better understanding — or another round of public frustration.
