THE EDITOR, Madam:
ABOUT FOUR years ago my mother, now retired after living for many years in the US, was allowed to bring in her 1994 Toyota Corolla into Jamaica. She was charged $300,000 to clear it at the port of entry. For a number of years I took her car to the motor vehicle depot in Mandeville and the headlight was never a factor.
Up to this point the car was never involved in an accident. On Monday December 18, 2000 I took the car for another due fitness test.
The examiner noted on the certificate of fitness receipt that the headlight was dipping to the right. I then took the car to two different mechanical garages. I was told by them both that the car had to function that way because it was an American standard.
On Tuesday December 19, 2000 I took the car back to the depot in Mandeville. I then explained to them that which the mechanics told me about the car being an American standard which quite naturally caused the light to dip to the right. I then ask the question as to why the car could pass inspection three years in a row but was now unable to do so. I was told bluntly by the examiner that in those other years we were given a break.
The Government of Jamaica has to have a clear cut policy pertaining to the importation of motor vehicles into Jamaica.
What am I now supposed to do with my mother's made-for-American-road car to have it pass inspection at the Mandeville motor vehicle's inspection station?
I am, etc.,
BERTRAM HENRY
Chantilly P.A.
Manchester
