JAMAICA Observer online readers have weighed in on a call by donkey cart operators for more respect on the road following a crash involving a cart and a minibus on Friday. An article, titled ‘Donkey cart operators angry’, and documenting the operators’ concerns, was published in yesterday’s edition of the Daily Observer. Here are some edited comments:

err gag

After all! Di donkey cart deh yah years before dem even dream to put di ‘bill’ inna automobile. Suh respect yuh elders, car man! But a who ago responsible fi di donkey doctor bill tho’?

stncyrs

@err gag: Yuh nuh see the donkey a eat grass? Him alright, man.

Duke Prepre

This is a funny one, dangerous but funny; these donkey cart people have to build their own roads because the main thoroughfare is no longer for them to share with motorists, those who shell out the big bucks for the use of the roads.

They can’t expect to continue sharing the road with legal road users. This is the 21st century.

Sung-Guy

Donkey carts have no business on a highway.They do not know the road code. They do not have the speed. The operators are protected with an enclosure. They do not have headlights, etc. Sorry, but this should not to be allowed to continue. It is not safe for anyone.

XAMYCA

Is it only motorised vehicles that are allowed to use the roadways? I would believe that all road users are to obey the laws, and if a motorist is negligent and causes an accident then the same laws would apply. If the minibus is at fault, they should be held accountable. The donkey cart men must also “drive” with care.

Roro

We admire them for earning an honest living. However, are they licensed to use the roadways? Why are they commuting outside of prescribed times? Everyone must be reminded that we are still a nation of laws.

JARRO

@Roro: Not everyone needs a licence to use the road, Roro. Certainly pedestrians and bicycle operators don’t need a licence. What we all need to know, however, are the rule governing road usage. That’s it.

JahB

This is a simple fix. Motorists have a little heart/ compassion. If you spot your fellow road user with his ass… trying to cross the road, break up nuh and signal the other motorists behind you your intention to stop, thus allowing said ass/donkey operators a safe passsge.

Blind-with-eyes-wide-Open

With the enormous economic growth and development taking place under this, our best ever government, donkey carts will shortly be a thing of the past. Mandela Highway is our busiest roadway in Jamaica and nowhere else in the world I know of where donkey cart and motorists using the same highway.

Sondon

Sticky situation! We, however, cannot have donkey and carts on a highway. There should be a law against that. What kind of road user fees and insurance do these donkey cart users pay? We cannot have animals and automobile traversing the same road, especially when there are passengers at risk. An animal can be spooked at any time, thus causing serious mayhem. Because everyone is doing it, does not make it right. This is the 21st century!

Dully

@Sondon: Wait, where you come from? Is donkey cart help build Jamaica and all of a sudden you all want to get rid of them. We better nurture and protect them because if Jamaica continues on this path, when we can’t pay for oil, it is going to be donkey cart to the rescue.

FL Construction Engineer

It’s a disastrous combination to have donkeys and vehicles using the same path.

bobo

Do the donkey cart operators pay taxes? What if their donkey cart damage someone’s vehicle?

TaxPayer

What the cop says is true re the cruelty to the poor animals. You cart operators need to organise, though.

HABLA

Donkey carts should only be allowed on farms. They are a hazard on our roads. Furthermore, they don’t pay insurance or anything else.

cliRey

Allowing donkey carts to traverse such a busy highway is madness putting the operator’s life, as well as the motoring public at grave risk. This, as the saying goes, is a no-brainer.

nemesis01

…It’s a dangerous situation when you have animals and motor vehicles competing against each other.