Punish unruly drivers
Published:Tuesday | December 10, 2024 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
It is with shock that I look at the increased indiscipline on the roads led by the red plate ‘superstars’. Have you noticed that in recent times, driving in Jamaica has memories of the horror movie Final Destination?
It can be noted that the volume of vehicles on our roads has significantly increased and has led to longer commuting time. Drivers, now more than before, are willing to take the their chances against the Road Traffic Act. Police officers can complete a full ticket book in 10 minutes, as the road traffic breaches are committed by the dozens. Drivers make a full additional lane in peak hours forcing oncoming drivers to seek refuge on the sidewalks. The road signs and markings are disobeyed, as if they are imaginary. The stop lights have lost their meaning; and even with a green light, you have to approach the traffic signal with extreme caution. Soft shoulders have become normal driving lanes, drivers skip the line at the toll booth, and bus and taxi drivers drive close behind each other to rush past the tag lane.
The road fatalities are because of nasty driving that takes place across the length and breadth of the island. Taxi drivers are the major culprits who disobey traffic rules. Unruly drivers cause commuting time to double; they also compel good drivers to become selfish and cold. Bus and taxi drivers are also out of control. They complain that the police are ‘harassing’ them, but can you imagine what will happen if the police were to leave them alone? It would be fair to say that bus and taxi men are harassing/bullying private passenger drivers. Driving to work in the morning is stressful, driving back home in the evening is depressing; and don’t dare think about going on the road to buy lunch, except if it is in walking distance.
The country’s transportation sector is at a tipping point and while fixing the roads will have a big impact, the indiscipline of drivers must be addressed. If not, the Road Traffic Act will have no effect.
HEZEKAN BOLTON