Dear Editor,

With the implementation of the new Road Traffic Act firmly upon us, one cannot cease to wonder if this will be a nine-day wonder.

I can vividly remember the fervour and zeal in 2019 surrounding the launch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch. This branch was established to restore order and public safety and one must commend the hard-working men and women who endeavor to carry out such an arduous task daily.

During the first few days, or even weeks for that matter, these officers were visible and their presence was felt collectively in the towns. Unfortunately, as time went by, their presence and influence waned significantly.

While I cannot definitively assert why this has happened, too often in Jamaica many initiatives seem to be a flash in the pan.

Many will bemoan the seemingly exorbitant fines attached to Road Traffic Act, but the safest way to avoid having to pay them is to stay on the right side of the law.

I can almost vehemently postulate that law-abiding citizens are desirous of seeing some form of order on our roads due to their chaotic nature on a daily basis.

The challenge now for the authorities is to conduct a sustained campaign that will go beyond the proverbial nine days so that our roads will become safe for all users.

Mikhail A Graham

mikhailgraham@yahoo.com