Dear Editor,

The police high command has once again announced change in the leadership of the Traffic Division, now dubbed the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gary Welch will be taking over from ACP Calvin Allen.

I am one who blames the police for the worsening number of traffic fatalities because they continue to do the same things and expect a different result.

I have a few — not novel — suggestions for ACP Welch, and should he fail to implement all or most of my suggestions he will be on the heap of failures that have led the Traffic Division.

Speeding is a factor, but it is not the primary reason for traffic crashes. Reckless driving and the general violation of every road traffic code on the books are the causes of these incidents.

1) The police should discontinue/curtail the use of radar guns to stop motorists on highways. Motorists always alert the unsuspecting speeders of the police up ahead. And, worse, the cops endanger themselves when they come onto the road to wave at a speeding motorist to stop.

2) The police should deploy marked and unmarked vehicles to target and ticket every and all violators who illegally overtake, drive on soft shoulder, out of lanes, etc.

This should not be one-off crackdowns, but should be a consistent national campaign. They should only relent when we see a substantial reduction in accidents and road fatalities.

Authnel Reid

reidaut@icloud.com