Bring on the revised road traffic Act
Dear Editor,
The indiscipline on the nation’s roads has peaked at overbearing. There’s almost no observation for road signs, speeding and the use of electronic devices while driving, which has led to motor vehicle crashes claiming the lives of many Jamaicans yearly.
The signs and road markings must be invisible, as motorists act in direct opposition to their instructions. It is worrying to see vehicles parked under the no parking signs, or no stopped at no stopping signs. What’s worse is the turning around at the no U-turn sign, driving through the red light, or motorists simply stopping in the road to do grocery or market shopping, and the list goes on.
One wonders if it’s really a literacy problem or downright indiscipline. The maximum speed limit in Jamaica is 110 km/h on the toll, but 50 km/h in towns and cities and 80km/h on highways. Drivers, however, choose to be David Summerbell Jr when he’s on a raceway. They pretend every bit of asphalt is like Dover raceway.
The new Road Traffic Act is getting ready to hit the streets after tying up its parliamentary obligations and the plan is that it should curb the indisciplined driving habits of motorist by targeting their pockets. The motoring public will have a hard time dealing with a new additions to the Act, especially that of using cellphone or any electronic device while driving attracting a fine of $10,000, or even holding an electronic device while driving $10,000.But, there is no disputing the fact that using a cellphone or an electronic device while driving minimises the driver’s focus on the road. Every motorist can attest to seeing a vehicle driving extremely slowly with no traffic in front, only to find the driver deep in conversation on the phone — “giving laugh fi peas soup”.
I join and echo the voice of the signs that read, “Arrive alive, don’t drink and drive,” “Speeding is a faster way to the grave,” or “Texting while driving will end your living.”
Bring on the revised road traffic Act before we suffer more deaths.
Hezekan Bolton
h_e_z_e@otmail.com
