The Editor, Sir:

I believe that the year 2007 should be one in which the existing Road Code and associate laws are modified to be more in keeping with the current usage of the road.

The Road Code in its current form does not take into account traffic density, the relatively easy access to motor vehicles or the appearance of large quantities of both legal and illegal taxis on the roads.

Under existing laws, a motor vehicle can swerve from behind a lead vehicle, come in front of it and brake up. Should the person who was overtaken in such a manner hit the now stationary overtaking vehicle in the back, he or she would be deemed to be in the wrong.

A second frequent habit of a number of taxi drivers is that of coming to sudden stops in a line of traffic, without regard for the vehicles behind them. Once again, should the vehicle immediately behind the taxi hit it, the driver of that vehicle would be in the wrong.

On today's roads, it is not always possible to drive two or three car lengths behind the lead vehicle, nor is it possible for drivers to be always prepared to be overtaken and 'stopped on' by the same vehicle in a single act. There is in my view a need to review what is defined to be 'dangerous and reckless driving'.

Also the large number of both legal and illegal taxis on the road forces their drivers to be extremely competitive and to subject anyone driving a white or grey vehicle to the most aggressive driving practices. The police force, the traffic authorities and insurance companies such as Key Motors, General Accident, and others, need to make concerted efforts to remove the illegal taxis on the road, while reducing the number of legal taxis.

Finally, the parish councils should be empowered to grant to the various citizens associations and other community-based organisations the right to construct traffic dampening and controlling systems in their communities.

At this moment the citizen associations do not have the right to construct 'sleeping police', pedestrian crossings, traffic islands or any other traffic dampening unit where they are needed in the communities. This situation should be corrected.

I am, etc.,

BASIL FLETCHER

Donovanfletcher@hotmail.com

Greater Portmore

St. Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica