Dear editor,

I am utterly disturbed that the House of Representatives, on July 11, passed the Road Traffic (Temporary Ticket Amnesty) Bill, which would see hundreds of motorists who are delinquent, escaping the penalties.

This amnesty is set to run from August 2 to October 31, and would target those motorists who received tickets between September 1, 2010 and July 31, with the aim of collecting $2.8 billion.

Its purpose is, among other things, to offer the motorists, many of whom were reckless and criminal, an opportunity to clear their records, then conduct their affairs as if it were business as usual.

Why would our lawmakers seek to collect revenue at the grave expense of excusing the reckless and criminal conduct of some of these motorists? How is this addressing driver indiscipline?

While it is not all the motorists who are now being scrutinised who contribute significantly to the indiscipline, which oftentimes result in the carnage and mayhem on our roads, it should not be lost on us that many of them operate with impunity and are culpable. They should feel the long arm of the law.

Our lawmakers are substituting consistent and effective enforcement for an amnesty, and rewarding motorists’ recklessness and indiscipline.

We cannot be so desperate to collect debts that we are prepared to turn a blind eye to the lamentable disorder and the constant threat that these reckless drivers pose to us pedestrians and other law-abiding motorists.

The authorities should prosecute those who have committed serious offences and impose harsh penalties on them.

If the authorities were seriously enforcing the law and penalising motorists’ recklessness, including suspending/revoking their licences, then better order and compliance would obtain on our roads.

We are not a State that enforces and maintains the law and make wrongdoers suffer the harsh consequences, which would likely serve as a deterrent.

On the contrary, we are a State that offer motorists a clean slate after they have committed egregious wrongs, resulting from their hype and impatience, to continue maiming and killing us on the roads.

There is need for more court rooms and judges; resources for the police to help fight crime; and better roads and social amenities. We would be best served if the Government reallocates the proposed $23 million that it plans to spend to implement the amnesty to those well-needed resources.

Imagine what consistent enforcement and the stringent collection of traffic fines could do to the governance of our country if we just do what is required and get serious about law and order.

Dujon Russell