MONTEGO BAY, St James – The Montego Bay Traffic Department has stepped up its drive to apprehend traffic violators along the three-mile Rose Hall main road which has witnessed 203 motor vehicle accidents, resulting in seven fatalities since the start of the year.

“The police will intensify its drive, which includes covert operations, inspection of vehicles by the island traffic authorities and random spot checks along the route,” Inspector Harvey Harrison of the Highway Patrol/ Traffic Department told the Observer West.

“This drive will continue until motorists are in compliance with the road traffic rules and regulations which are intended to promote safety for everyone using the highway.”

The initiative, which began two weeks ago, has resulted in 195 motorists being prosecuted for disobeying the stoplights and the issuing of 57 tickets for speeding violations and other traffic offences.

According to the police, speeding played a dominant role in the majority of the collisions which have claimed the lives of a senior citizen, a minor and five citizens withing the 30-40 age range.

In addition to the speeding, a host of other problems are contributing to the hazardous nature of the roadway.

“The highway needs more lighting, more street lights because it is impossible to see the medians at night and this contributes to much of the problem,” said Corporal Hopeton Cole of the Area 1 Accident Investigation and Reconstruction unit.

Cole’s colleague Sergeant Clarke Whyne, who is attached to the Area 1 highway patrol, agreed. According to both, the current set-up of the traffic signals do not provide adequate protection for pedestrians as even if the signals are on red, there is still much leeway for motorists to filter across the thoroughfare. “What we want is for the traffic signals to be set up so that all traffic comes to a complete halt and pedestrians do not have to be competing with motorists for right of way,”

said Clarke.