LETTER TO AYS FROM A LISTENER
The Carnage
Similar to many persons, I too am very concerned about the level of carnage on our roads. This concern has been markedly increased with recent reports of twenty traffic fatalities in a seven day period.
Having observed the blatant disregard for and apparent ignorance of our road traffic laws along with the driving habits and practises of a significant number of our road users deteriorate steadily over the years, and being fully cognisant of each road users responsibility for their own safety, I place the blame squarely at the feet of our policy makers as well as the Police.
Producing License
The absolutely ludicrous situation which allows a driver five days to produce his/her drivers license must change. How many drivers with suspended licenses have slipped through this loop-hole, not to mention criminals.I certainly wish that someone could give a logical explanation as to why the road traffic laws were not amended a few years ago when this change was first attempted. Wouldn't the benefits of making it mandatory for drivers to be in possession their drivers license once they are operating a motor vehicle far outweigh any possible negative results. This is one instance, if it were not libelous, that I would say our law makers support criminality.
Recommendations
A significant part of the insanity which takes place on our roads daily has to do with how individuals are trained and subsequently obtain a drivers license. I recommend:
- The introduction of a "Driving Instructors Training Program" at Heart Trust-N.T.A.
- Driving Instructors so accredited, as well as persons trained by them could be offered some incentives. Insurance company's could offer special rates to clients trained by Driving Instructors with such a certificate.
- A system of having persons whose license have been suspended, be retrained by a certified Driving Instructor before being reinstated would be beneficial.
- Individuals with multiple license suspensions must be retested by an I.T.A. officer so accredited.
- There is need for a comprehensive review of the criteria to obtain a P.P.V license. When one observes the actions and behavior of public passenger vehicle operators, it is obvious that the caliber and training of persons wishing to be so certified is in need of a thorough review. Any such review must include persons desirous of becoming conductors.
- We should seriously look at conducting periodic drug tests on all Commercial and PPV License holders.
- There will have to be a significant increase in attempts to educate pedestrians on the proper use of the roads by utilizing not just the media but through the hands-on day-to-day interaction of specially trained police personnel. Utilizing the Safe Schools Program, our school children must be educated on the safe and proper use of the roads.
- The practice of Commuters standing anywhere to wait on public transportation must stop.
- The dangerous practice of pedestrians crossing the roadway anywhere and at anytime, regardless of how close they are to a pedestrian crossing is cause for concern.
- By way of policy, a comprehensive and sustained road safety campaign must be introduced in our schools and work places.
Areas Of Focus
Whose idea is it to have the Police focus mainly on speeding at the same locations island wide year after year? What about the numerous other infractions which occur constantly?
What about overtaking at an unbroken white line? This seems to be par for the course along certain thorough fares. As it relates to parking illegally Downtown and in the New Kingston area, the K.S.A.Cseems to have things under control while adding to their coffers at the same time. If central government would follow this lead, wouldn't that add to the consolidated fund while placing more of the burden on those of us who transgress rather than law abiding citizens in the form of increased taxes.
I must stress that I am quite ignorant of all that the police does to improve road safety and driver compliance, but there seems to be a serious lack of police presence at many major intersections. What about an ad hock rotation of the monitoring of these locations. Wouldn't the utilization of unmarked police vehicles as well as plain clothed officers help.Traffic policing seems to lack innovativeness, forward planning and the requisite legislative support.
For example in the Liguanea/Kingston 6 area, I couldn't tell the last time I have seen a traffic cop on duty. As a result, every morning there is a grid-lock at Hope Road and Richings Avenue, not to mention the one at Liguanea Avenue. This is caused by drivers proceeding into the middle of the intersection before the vehicle ahead has moved forward enough for them to clear the intersection before the light changes. Isn't it an offence to block an intersection? Oh! did I mention those drivers turning right who believe that they have the right-of-way.
Taxis and other public passenger vehicles, including J.U.T.C buses stop to pick-up and set-down passengers anywhere, especially at Souvreign Centre heading east and at Liguanea Plaza heading west, causing increased and unnecessary traffic congestion.
The practise of many taxi operators to proceed straight after positioning their cars in the turn lane has become common place all over the city.
The practise of stopping at a pedestrian crossing when the light is on green is dangerous and counterproductive. It is nothing short of a miracle that there has not been several serious accidents at the three 4-way intersections along Seymour Avenue. I am totally convinced that most drivers are not aware of how to use a 4-way intersection.
Is no one aware of the excessive speeding by taxi drivers between Half Way Tree and Papine? There might very well be a severe shortage of speed monitoring devices, but the police must devise other innovative ways of impressing on persons the need to operate their motor vehicle in a safe manner.
Traffic Lights
The amber(yellow) light no longer means to stop if it is safe to do so, it means to go faster. In fact, you stand a high probability of being rear-ended if you stop when the light changes to amber. Now when it changes to red that is a totally different ball game. The red light means to follow every vehicle ahead of you that went through regardless of how long the light is on red.
I am yet to see, on a regular and sustained basis, Police personnel who are not assigned to traffic duties, intervene in traffic related matters and more importantly,prosecute infractions. It cannot be a case of "I am not doing traffic duties or my current assignment is so important, I am unable to intervene". Until the aforementioned situation is addressed, I wouldn't even think of expecting an off-duty officer intervening in a traffic related matter in the same way that he or she would in a gun or other serious crime. Is it that there is no benefit to be derived as it relates to promotion?
Police Not Attentive Enough
It is absolutely amazing to observe some of the blatant traffic infractions of which officers doing foot patrol seem to be completely oblivious, or couldn't care less. I appreciate the fact that policing can be quite difficult, but our Police officers must be taught to multi-function. Again, I make no claims of knowing all that the police is doing to deal with the indiscipline on our roads but much more must be done if things are to improve.
The situation as it relates to discipline and the observance of all our road traffic laws has deteriorated to such a level that I seriously wonder if we haven't passed the point of no return. As many as two or more generations, including police officers know nothing but the chaos and indiscipline which takes place on our roads. Yes, even police officers regularly indulge in these bad practices.
When one observes the condition of many police service units, one wanders if what is good for the goose, isn't it good for the gander? I am fully aware of the extremely tight fiscal space within which we operate, so as a means on leveling the playing field, couldn't persons found operating a defective vehicle, once their drivers license is relatively "clean" be issued with a ticket which would not attract a monetary fine but require them to have the problem corrected in a specified time period. After which the nearest I.T.A. facility would verify that the requisite repairs were undertaken.
We Stop And Park Anywhere
It has become quite normal to stop, park, reverse or make u-turns anywhere.
Failure to use turn signals and ensure that it is safe to do so before pulling back into traffic is a regular occurrence. Most drivers are unaware that it is illegal to have their headlights on while parked on the opposite side of a roadway. Are todays drivers aware that one is required to dim their headlights when approaching another vehicle in both directions?
Education
I believe that with increased public education and ample warnings, in addition to fostering a culture of discipline and decency on our roads, the authorities could extract significantly more "contributions to national development" by way of increased citations for these seemingly minor offences.
Who Cares?
These infractions occur daily with impunity and one gets the feeling that no one really cares. If there is some kind of 'glitch' in the system, then it behoves those in authority to fix the problem, be it policy or operational. Things cannot continue like this!
Speeding is just the culmination of the wide spread indiscipline taking place on our roads and society in general.
However, quite frankly, I have very little confidence that our system fraught with inefficiency and corruption will ensure that persons are held accountable for their actions.
I recommend that all motor cycles operate with "day-time running lights". This will significantly increase their visibility thereby reducing the possibility of inadvertent collisions.
The authorities should also look into the possibility of all vehicles being so equipped in the not too distant future.
Our Canadian and Scandinavian friends are experts when it comes to road safety and I believe that we can learn a thing or two from them.
Finally, how does someone with multiple traffic tickets be allowed to continue driving? Why are they allowed to renew their drivers license, insurance or register a motor vehicle?
Obviously the solution is not rocket science, it seems to be more a lack of political will.
We now have tablets in schools, and this is good, but how about equipping the police so as to allow them to be more pro-active in their daily activities.
Let me take this opportunity to persuade the police to be much more vigilant and use every legal means at their disposal to impress on our drivers the need to operate their motor vehicle in a safe manner, within the law, until our policy makers and to a lesser extent, the high command, take the necessary steps to do what is needed to implement meaningful and sustained improvements in the use of our roadways.
Things can be much better. It seems as if the persons with the power to implement meaningful and positive changes have a vested interest in maintaining the status-quo. On the other hand, why do we the citizens allow things to continue in this way?
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