MORE than 53,500 motorists islandwide have been prosecuted since the start of year, according to the police.

“This is significantly more than last year. It’s an all-round effort as we have been working with the Island Traffic Authority. We’re not going to relent,” said SSP Calvin Allen, head of the Elletson Road-based Police Traffic Division.

The traffic boss said motorcycle riders too were between their cross hair.

“Between December and now, we have seized 350 motorcycles… the majority from the Westmoreland and Negril areas,” he said.

The move, according to SSP Allen, is aimed at reducing the number of road fatalities which currently stands at 40.

“We have lost too many lives,” said SSP Allen.

The road death toll recorded for 2014 was 330.

He lists the hot spots as Westmoreland, which accounted for the lion’s share of fatalities last year; St Ann; Clarendon; St Catherine North and South.

SSP Allen, who assumed the position in September 2014, said he was looking forward to the passage of the new Road Traffic Act which is before Parliament, as it will have more teeth.

“It’s a good move. Look at a motorcycle rider, for example. He can go to the tax office with two passport photos, pay his fees and obtain a learner’s licence, which he can ride with indefinitely. With the proposed new Traffic Act, you will have to learn to operate the motorcycle and then get tested before you are allowed on the road. Last week, a 57-year-old pedestrian in Jamaica’s western end was hit down by a motorcycle rider. If the rider was trained, it could have been avoided,” he said.

SSP Allen had a word of advice for motorists.

“Please obey the speed limits and watch out for pedestrians, especially the elderly. Last year, about 50 persons age 60 years and over died on the island’s roads,” he said.

— Brian Bonitto