Respect, Discipline and Order. Three words that seem so simple, but if one traverses Jamaica's roads it is evident that the actions associated with these three words are not necessarily the norm or followed by those afforded the privilege of commandeering a motor vehicle.
Who is to blame? The drivers, the passengers? The government? You? Me? It depends on who you talk to, the answer may vary in relation to this question.
Many believe that the flaws or corruption in the system start at the point of issuing of License to operate a motor vehicle, where it is believed that the corruption is so pervasive as "money talks and a motor vehicle license walks....straight into the hands of the person with links or money". Persons who cannot read or write are issued with licenses and are unable to follow instructions and the Rules of the Road.
The category of drivers who draw the most ire of law-abiding citizens are taxi drivers. Nowadays persons are surprised if they see a taxi driver waiting in line, not contributing to congestion or behaving in a law abiding manner. The expected attitude is one which endangers the life of road users and themselves, and yet they are allowed to continue their rampage with reckless abandon.
When we all heard about the vehicle that hit a Police Officer recently, I am positive that we all imagined the same vehicle- Toyota Wish with stripes on the side, heavily tinted. Certain behaviour has become so normalised in our subconscious that we don't even get upset anymore at the illegal behaviour. We have become numb, as recklessness has become the norm.
It has always been said that most of the owners of taxis and coaster and Hiace buses alike- public passenger vehicles (PPV) are those who are sworn to "Protect and Serve". Those who have taken an oath to uphold the law seemingly turn a blind eye to their own offending vehicles or those of their "compadres". As a result of this "commendable" effort to not impede external income generation, it has been noted that some PPV vehicles are untouchable and the drivers are free to do as they please.
There has been some new developments however as due to the rise of social media Road users are no longer relegated to passively venting about the common infractions witnessed on the nation's roads without recourse. Road users are fighting back... posting the offending vehicles on Twitter, and Facebook and sharing videos and pictures on Whatsapp until it reaches the attention of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, but the question is what makes the behaviour acceptable to so many offending drivers?
Is it the lack of fear of repercussions because passengers quietly sit and say nothing because they reach their destination on time?
Is it that the fines under the Traffic Act are not onerous enough to ensure compliance?
Do Ticket amnesties send the wrong message by subtly implying that the behaviour of Offending drivers is ok?
Why do the Offending drivers have to behave so recklessly?
Do harsher penalties have to be put in place to force a drastic shift in attitudes and behaviour?
I welcome discussion on this issue as one thing is clear, the total disregard for Rules and Regulations are not to the benefit of the wider society as our lives are being placed at risk daily. For longer lives filled with less stress, the attitude of our road users needs to change. We need to hold not only other drivers accountable but also ourselves. "Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is looking". Just imagine if it was normalised to do the right thing while traversing our roads. Jamaica would be a safer place. Let us all move away from reckless behaviour and normalise discipline and order.
Kymberli Whittaker
Attorney-at-Law
