The Portland tragedy should now beg the question, 'Should we continue to turn a blind eye to the improper transport of people and goods?' By that I mean, why are we continuing to hear of these accidents where people are being transported in trucks designed to carry cargo and devoid of proper seating and restraints for human passengers?

Is there a section of the Road Traffic Act which prohibits this practice? Then why isn't this enforced? From early reports, many of the truck's passengers were thrown out before the truck hit the river below. These people were not seated properly or were not wearing seat belts. Isn't that illegal? Well, these are questions for the police and for the minister of transport and all other relevant authorities.

Illegal riders

Incidents like these are not uncommon. Some years ago, some men hitched a ride atop a lumber truck, which was destined for the airport en route to a farm work programme. They did not make it as the truck crashed and its cargo crushed them to death. As recently as a few years ago, there was another tragedy, as another lumber truck crashed in south western Jamaica killing illegal riders atop that vehicle.

How many more Jamaicans must we continue to fail? Because that is exactly what we are doing if we continue to ignore the rule of law.

My sympathy goes to the bereaved, but governments and politicians need to be more proactive and less reactive.

I am, etc.,

PATRICK ROACH

pgerry2001@yahoo.com

Toronto