KINGSTON, Jamaica — At the first meeting of the Cabinet after the summer recess, yesterday (Monday August 26), discussions were held on issues related to enforcement of the road traffic laws and the plans of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for traffic flow management for the start of the new school year.

The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, met with the Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson and the head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bishop Dr Gary Welsh, The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said in a statement.

Holness, at the meeting, charged the Commissioner to ensure that adequate arrangements were in place for a smooth start to the new school year.

The Commissioner of Police indicated that based on assessments being done by the JCF, the police are expecting delays in certain areas, but that in anticipation, plans were being put in place to keep the traffic flowing, especially in areas where re-routing could not be done, the OPM said.

Meanwhile, Holness advised that he would be meeting with the National Works Agency (NWA) to discuss any co-ordination that may be required for the effective and efficient flow of traffic on roadways where construction works were underway and in particular to ascertain whether any re-scheduling of works and additional signage may be required. 

The Cabinet also discussed the importance of equal and consistent enforcement of the road traffic laws, against the backdrop of ACP Welsh’s approach to the highly publicised “stunt driving incident”. Additionally, Cabinet expressed its concerns, regarding the maintenance of public order and discipline on the roads, as well as the issue of public confidence in the system of law enforcement, the OPM said.