THE EDITOR, Sir:EVERY DAY as I drive the streets of Kingston, I observe the close calls that each and every one of us encounters. The careless, reckless, impatient taxi drivers in a hurry to make a quick dollar; the truck drivers of large companies who throw the trucks around regardless of their company logos painted across the sides; the heavily-tinted, large SUV drivers who believe they are big and bad compared to our small cars and are above the law; and lastly, the JUTC buses whose drivers believe the road belongs to them. It is my opinion that the missing factor is respect for one another on the roads.
One of the most disturbing factors is the policemen and policewomen who are placed at the major intersections in the morning rush-hour traffic. I have seen the road code breached in their presence many times - and as they are on foot, they are at a serious disadvantage.
One of the potentially dangerous roads is West King's House Road, the home of the Canadian High Commission. Every morning, the cars of the visa-seekers are strewn on either side of the road with a narrow space for the two-way traffic that must ply the road. God help you if one of those Escalades or F150s are parked on either side the space becomes even narrower.
Additionally, at the intersection of Kingsway and West King's House you had better be careful if you are turning right onto Kingsway, as impatient drivers, often overtake on the right sometimes just as a motorist is making the turn onto Kingsway. The fact that that High Commis-sion has chosen this location for its building means that it must have a responsibility to the users and residents of this thoroughfare. The Town Planners should have insisted that they implement adequate and proper parking facilities for their visitors. I am sure that this would not be allowed in Canada.
Driving in Jamaica is hazardous to your health. I don't have the answers but I would be willing to volunteer some of my time with a committed group of persons whose goal is to reduce traffic accidents in Jamaica as its immediate mandate.
Too often our focus is so shifted on the political fracas, clouded with the news of the day, and other people's personal lives that the serious issues become secondary.
I am etc.,
MICHELLE A. SMITH
Kingsway
Kingston 10
