ST THOMAS, Jamaica – With 368 people killed in motor vehicle crashes up to Tuesday, October 25, Member of Parliament for St Thomas Eastern, Dr Michelle Charles, is proposing that reckless drivers, in particular repeat offenders, who endanger the lives of other road users, be subjected to ongoing education before they are cleared to continue driving.

Her proposal is similar to what exists in the United States, where drivers found guilty of certain traffic infractions, must complete a specified number of hours of driver education.

Dr Charles made the call on Tuesday during her second contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate in House of Representatives.

“We need to change the way reckless drivers think in Jamaica and that can only be done through education,” said Charles, while acknowledging that the majority of people who drive in Jamaica are safe drivers.

She is calling for an amendment to the Road Traffic Act to include what she calls a “mandatory JADD School [Jamaicans Against Dangerous Driving]”.

“These courses should include an accident prevention course, a drug alcohol awareness course and a driver improvement course as well,” said Charles.

She is recommending that:

-A minimum of four hours at JADD School for people who receive tickets for overtaking in a manner causing obstruction to traffic.

-A minimum of four hours at JADD School for motorists found guilty of careless driving with or without a collision.

-Six to eight hours of JADD School for speeding.

-12 to 16 hours for habitual traffic offenders and reckless and dangerous drivers.

Dr Charles said motorcyclists, who are listed by the Road Safety Unit as being among the most vulnerable road users, must also be subjected to JAAD School.

“While we welcome the new and improved roads in St Thomas Eastern, we also want to ensure our safety. Imagine a country with disciplined drivers on the road,” she said.