KINGSTON, Jamaica — The police are warning protesting taxi operators to desist from blocking roadways and threatening and intimidating other road users.

Taxi operators in Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine, Manchester and St Thomas have been withdrawing their services since Monday, opposing the amendments to the Road Traffic Act.

Chief among their concerns is the Government’s plan to penalise motorists for road traffic breaches that are detected by traffic cameras and other electronic devices. In instances where the driver of the motor vehicle cannot be identified, the owner of the vehicle will be held accountable.

However, the taxi operators have been causing severe inconveniences to the public with their protest actions.

According to a statement from the constabulary’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), protestors were observed using their vehicles to block roadways, preventing other road users from going about their lawful business.

Lawmen explained that in other instances, operators are preventing commuters from accessing other modes of transportation, and that there have been reports of threats of violence to other operators who do not wish to protest.

“While the constitution makes provisions for peaceful demonstration, persons are reminded that such actions must be carried out in a responsible way and must not infringe on the rights of other members of the public, neither should it be in contravention of the law,” the police said.

The protestors are being advised that it is the intention of the police to fully enforce the law, and consequently, anyone who commits an offence will be prosecuted.