A contingent of Licensing Officers yesterday cracked down on several music trucks carrying food, mobile restrooms and drinks for large mas bands, as they crossed one of the National Carnival Commission’s judging point on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, which created a bottleneck for miles along the route.
The incident left many masqueraders fuming, while the licensing officers worked with members of the T&T Police Service to ensure that the trucks drivers were not committing any traffic offences on Carnival Monday.
Yesterday, Transport Commissioner Wayne Richards confirmed that a team of 15 licensing officers had been stationed on the Avenue to ensure the drivers had been complying with the law.
Yesterday, Richards said there was no reason for the crackdown.
“This is what we do ever year for Carnival….we work. We have to ensure there are proper road users...especially at a time like this” Richard said, defending his staff.
Richards said his team have also been looking out for those who drive under the influence.
“We do breathalyser testing and these things. It’s nothing new. It’s all part of our work routine.”
A music truck which falls under the category of a “goods vehicle” Richards said was only authorized to carry a driver and two loaders.
“If you are carrying other persons you must have permission. Plus… you must have the relevant insurance in case you collide with another vehicle that the occupants are protected.”
From 10.30 am several large bands, starting with Legacy’s began crossing the judging point on the avenue, even though there were no judges and few spectators in the stands to view their presentation Time…Then and Now.
Following Legacy were large bands Ronnie and Caro’s Fearless, Yuma’s -D’ Origins and Bliss’s - Al Sahra - The Great Desert.
It was while thousands of Bliss masqueraders were jamming and singing to Ultimate Rejects’ Full Extreme calypso the licensing officers along with several police officers swooped down on the drivers asking that they hand over their insurance, driver’s permit and other documentation.
The music trucks are equipped with premium bars, lunches, breakfasts, snacks, mobile restrooms, on site paramedics and cool zones.
Many of the drivers readily complied.
Others were seen arguing with some licensing officers, while the police took photographs of trucks that may have broken the law.
This delayed some sections of Bliss from moving along the route to Downtown, Port -of-Spain and then to the final judging point at the Queen’s Park Savannah for over an hour.
After the drivers were given clearance to go and the masqueraders began trekking up the avenue, there was a heavy and sudden downpour.