Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
The reckless and dangerous use of the roads
Dear Editor,
We, whether as pedestrians, motor vehicles operators, must all be concerned about the careless manner in which our roads are used. A list would include excessive speeding even when the road is wet, reckless overtaking ,etc. However, I have observed two types of behavior which, as the saying goes, would take the cake.
First, quite recently the competent authorities devoted a great deal of effort in clearly demarcating the areas of the roads which motorists and pedestrians should occupy but this makes no difference to some motorists who apparently believe that the entire road belongs to them.
Relatedly, I recently observed a pattern of behavior which came to me as a surprise.
A minibus proceeding from east to west on the East Coast Road who encountered other vehicles stopped in response to the red lights at the junction of that road and Sheriff Street simply used the green arrow pointing to entry into that street, entered the Subryanville area and emerged on the public road, all before the traffic lights that he at first encountered had changed. I was forced to wonder what mark should be awarded to that driver for initiative and creativity.
Secondly, we must be both concerned and angry when breaches of the law occur in the presence of the law or in close proximity to the law. This occurs on a regular basis in the area close to Police Headquarters and its newly established training facility at the junction of Camp Street and Carifesta Avenue where traffic lights are located. Evidently, a number of motorists have developed the attitude or practice of not joining the line of traffic on Camp Street awaiting the change in the traffic lights indicating that they could safely enter Carifesta Avenue on their eastern journey.
Rather, they boldly use the green arrow indicating that they should proceed west to establish themselves ahead or in positions to get ahead of the line of waiting traffic. In the process there are usually close misses of collision between vehicles, in which lives are endangered. Yet such practices and violations continue unabated virtually in the presence of the police. What then of the often repeated admonition of zero tolerance? And what is the message being sent to police trainees and the public at large?
Harold Lutchman
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