THE EDITOR, Sir:
I'M WRITING to express my concern and in fact confusion about the manner in which traffic laws are enforced in Jamaica.
Every weekday morning thousands of motorists break the posted 50 kph speed limit on Spanish Town Road between Six Miles and the new Simpson-Miller Square (at Three-Miles). Police travel along with the motorists at speeds of up to 80 kph and it appears there are no problems with this. Perhaps the police just tolerate it or perhaps they don't even notice.
On weekends however, there is a totally different situation. Police position themselves strategically along the roadway to trap 'speeding' motorists - many of whom are going at speeds of less than 80 KPH. Early on a clear, traffic-free, beautiful Saturday morning one may find himself ticketed for exceeding the speed limit by 26 KPH. How is it that breaking the law is fine on weekdays, but penalised on weekends?
If this on/off system is an accepted approach for our law-enforcers to take, how is the public supposed to know which laws to flout on which days (or times)? Can we expect this kind of approach for all other types of offences? If our laws are to be respected, they must be logical and consistent. Otherwise, they may as well not exist.
I am, etc.,
ROLAND GAYLE
rolandgayle@hotmail.com
Kingston 10
