THE EDITOR, Sir:HERE ARE some suggestions to help in cutting down on the fatalities on our roads.
We are all alarmed at the growing number of fatal accidents mostly involving public transportation. Daily we hear of some taxi, bus or minibus in a fatal accident, caused mostly by excessive speeds.
I suggest that the Island Traffic Authority makes it mandatory that moving violations by public passenger vehicles be fined DOUBLE for an offence, especially speeding.
School zones have come in for some attention recently with the posting of speed monitors, which is welcome, but this should be followed with a doubling of the fine for all motorists speeding in a designated school zone during school hours. The police have been trying their best to control the situation but they need help, 'laws with teeth'. Unless we do something drastic, the carnage will continue.
Another issue that should be addressed is the illegally-painted pedestrian crossings. Pedestrians are being lulled into a false sense of security by these illegal crossings. The law specifies how these crossings are to be put in place with all the warning approach signs. Unless these are in place the pedestrian has no protection under the law. Also, the Traffic Authority can look into identifying intersections in the Corporate Area where left turns can be permitted when the traffic light is showing red, which would ease the traffic flow.
I am, etc.,
A. GUY MORRIS
aguymorris@bigplanet.com
Kingston
