RADCLIFFE Lewis, the tough-talking former Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Traffic Division, says the Government should not be intimidated by recent protests against the new Road Traffic Act.
“It’s a country’s responsibility to protect its citizens, especially from road hogs. I’m in total support of the new Road Traffic Act. In fact, it should be stricter, and include a specific section for taxi drivers, mini-bus operators and ‘robots’ (illegal taxi operators). The Act will serve as a deterrent to those who harbour intentions of breaking the law,” he told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.
Last week, taxi operators islandwide withdrew their services and blocked certain public thoroughfares requesting that the Government revise several aspects of the new Road Traffic Act, which seeks to replace the original 1938 Act.
It was reported that in some instances, operators prevented commuters from accessing other modes of transportation, and issued threats to other operators who refused to participate in the protests.
The Government has since delayed the Bill’s senate debate in order to embark on a public education campaign and consultations with members of the sector.
Lewis, currently the franchise and security manager at the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, said the proposed Act could be a “life saver”.
“Look at what is happening on our roads! It’s a state of anarchy! And desperate times need desperate measures. Everybody has the right to peaceful demonstrations, but blocking the roads and intimidating other road users is unacceptable. The demonstrations show there are several lawbreakers among them ,” he said. “Once you don’t commit an offence, you don’t pay a fine. But you see, many of them totally disregard the Road Traffic Act… They drive on the right side of the road and overtake carelessly, endangering law-abiding citizens. So the left side is for law-abiding citizens, while the right is for them.”
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