Under the Main Roads Act, which is managed by the National Works Agency (NWA), the penalty for neglecting a “carriage” on a main road attracts a fine of $4.

The Act was last amended on January 1, 1985 and has been operational since 1932. It is reportedly the only piece of legislation that governs the way in which NWA carries out its duties.

“Any person who leaves any carriage upon any main road, except in case of an accident, or in that case for a longer time than is necessary to remove the same-four dollars,” the Main Roads Act says.

The Act seemingly gives a broad brush approach to various wheeled vehicles being labelled as a “carriage”.

“In this Act, and in the Lands Clauses Act, as hereinafter incorporated herewith – “carriage” includes carts, waggons, drays, wheeled carriages of every description, bicycles, tricycles and other similar machines,” the Main Roads Act clarifies.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer recently, Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay Councillor Richard Vernon raised concern over a lack of enforcement as it relates to main roads in the second city.

“Main roads fall under central government and are maintained by the NWA, while parochial roads fall under the municipal corporations, which have the responsibility to maintain them,” Vernon said.