SSP Diaries | Echoes of frustration

There are several behaviours in society today that most citizens are tired of complaining about, and in some cases, their frustrations are near or have reached boiling point. When people are sick and tired of certain experiences and society does nothing to alleviate the problems, they will, unfortunately, take matters into their own hands, especially in our politically polarised communities.

The object of my writing is to highlight some of these matters once again, with the hope that the powers that be will address them positively before things escalate to a point of no return.

CRIME

While great strides have been made in reducing the number of homicides, and our law-enforcement agencies cannot receive enough praise for that, there is still the fact that not enough has materialised in dealing with corruption, the failure of public officials to declare their assets, or generally honour their obligations under laws that they themselves have enacted.

Trafficking in drugs seems to be on the rise again, and scamming does not appear to have been meaningfully impacted by law-enforcement efforts. Laws are made to be obeyed by everyone, not just the destitute. Society has grown tired of seeing the small fry caught while the big fish remain elusive.

MOTORCYCLISTS

It seems that there is a different law for motorcyclists than for other road users. Whether it is the truck-horn-blaring motorbike or those fitted with sirens, the behaviours displayed at traffic lights are the same. They simply do not obey red lights and proceed to break the law with impunity.

For those in police uniform, in most instances I have witnessed, no sirens are activated; they merely proceed through red lights at traffic stops. This is an abuse of authority and a very poor example for the public. It is the very public they will prosecute for following their example.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force needs to do better, and the traffic authorities should restrict the types of horns used on motorcycles. Truck horns are nerve-racking and can cause innocent motorists to take dangerous, evasive action, to say the least.

TAXIS

Taxis continue to be a national horror story. No taxi waits in line with other motorists. They move to the front of the line, invariably blocking intersections so they can proceed at the earliest opportunity.

This practice is now being copied by other motorists, resulting in greater traffic congestion and frustration for law-abiding road users. Indiscipline among road users is mounting at an alarming rate and is likely to provoke violent reactions from innocent persons on a scale greater than previously witnessed.

Action by the relevant authorities is urgently needed to avert extreme violence.

ABUSIVE POLITICIANS

Many times, one is caught in a line of traffic, moving along patiently. Out of the blue comes the wail of sirens and two, three, or sometimes more vehicles with sirens blaring and blue lights flashing, overtaking motorists and sending oncoming traffic scampering out of the way to give the entourage easy passage.

This scenario normally involves a government minister or senior government official being transported to work, Parliament, an engagement, or home. Such actions frustrate citizens who are going about their lawful business while obeying the rules of the road.

In most cases, I believe that if our leaders allowed enough time for travel and instructed their staff accordingly, while obeying the applicable traffic rules, the situation would be viewed more positively.

POOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OR MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

Wellington Drive in Kingston has been suffering for over a year now, and just as one thought things had settled down for the better, Old Hope Road in the vicinity of the Commissioner of Police’s Office is under threat from large earth-moving machines.

At this stage of our nation’s development, the various government agencies and public utilities ought to be properly regulated and coordinated to create minimal disruption to the free movement of traffic.

Development and maintenance projects require careful planning. The installation of infrastructure, whether sewage pipes, communication cable systems, electrical power lines, or other utilities, ought to be properly governed and coordinated by a central authority rather than being left to the whims and fancies of individual entities.

We can and must do better and avoid frustrating the public as has recently been the case throughout the Corporate Area in particular.

POOR GULLY/DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT

Driving past the capital’s drainage gullies is a painful sight. These critical structures have become community dumping grounds for garbage of all descriptions and could become sources for the spread of disease.

In some gullies, islands of vegetation resembling forests have developed over time. Given the unpredictable climatic conditions of today’s world, this can only be described as a catastrophe in the making.

Where such flood-relief systems exist, they should be constantly monitored and kept clear so that excess water can flow freely to the sea, rather than becoming backed up and causing damage to life, infrastructure, and property.

Where laws governing the proper disposal of garbage are being ignored, they must be enforced at all costs.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTION

A comprehensive traffic management solution is urgently needed for our two cities. There are more vehicles on our roads than they were designed to accommodate.

Getting to work over what should be short distances, has become a real headache for most people because of the level of congestion being experienced. This is no longer limited to the morning and evening rush hours, but has become the norm from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Traffic congestion becomes even more severe when schools are in session. The authorities need to move swiftly on this issue, as the more time vehicles spend stuck in traffic, the more fuel is burned and wasted at a time when supplies are uncertain and prices are increasingly beyond the reach of many people.

That is it for now; more to come.

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