Powerful road signs needed

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) has been doing a good job over the years. Dr Lucien Jones deserves much credit in this regard.

However, compliance, on the part of motorists, continues to be a major challenge. As a result, speeding, not halting at red traffic lights, and entering busy major thoroughfares from avenues, crescents and/or closes in an untimely manner increase the probability of accidents, among many other traffic offences.

Another common practice on the part of motorists is to disobey and disregard signs that read ‘No Right Turn Between 7am and 7pm’.

One potentially effective way of increasing compliance, in my view, is for prominent signs to be strategically placed throughout the city, showing traffic laws and the corresponding traffic fines for breaking those laws.

For instance, above major traffic lights, signs could be placed which read ‘Fine For Breaking Red Light: $10,000 & 6 Points Off’; and above stop signs, the warning could read ‘Fine For Not Coming To A Complete Halt: $10,000 & 6 Points Off’.

Signs along major thoroughfares could read: ‘Fine For Speeding (Regular Zone): $10,000 & 4 Points Off’; ‘Fine for Careless Driving Causing Collision: $25,000 & 10 Points Off’; ‘Fine for Careless Driving Where No Collision Occurs: $11,000 & 4 Points Off’; ‘Fine For Overtaking Without A Clear View: $10,000 and 3 Points Off’; ‘Fine for Overtaking Causing Obstruction: $10,000’; ‘Fine for Causing Motor Cycle to be Driven on One Wheel Only: $5,000 & 3 Points Off’.

Sometimes a strong visual reminder can cause careless drivers to think twice before breaking a traffic law.

PATRICK GALLIMORE