Moving to the left

Laranzo Dacres, Sunday Gleaner Writer

In a country where vehicular traffic travels on the left-hand side of the road, it seems most of the vehicles on the island's thoroughfares feature the steering wheel on the left.

"It might not seem practical, because in Jamaica we overtake on the right side, but vehicles like Tacoma, Lexus, and some Range Rovers are left-hand driven, and motorists go for them because they are nice rides," said Al Taylor, music producer.

He is of the view that these left-hand-drive vehicles have become popular among the Jamaican motorists because they are easily available.

Raemur Bedward, system administrator, who was driving a left-hand Mazda 626 at the time of an accident, said he came out of the crash without a scratch.

"These vehicles are generally built for the United States population and undergo stricter manufacturing regulations when it comes to the safety of the driver and passengers. So, I believe they are safer to drive. The accident happened when I stopped at a traffic light. A bus ran into the back of my car, which got badly crushed, but my mother and I came out without a bruise.

"That event solidified my thought that the left-hand-drive vehicles are strong," he said.

Sophronia McKenzie, who drives a Toyota Sequoia pickup, also loves to drive a left-hand vehicle, primarily because she is familiar with and comfortable driving one.

"I got my driver's licence when I was about 17 or 18, and I just grew up driving left-hand vehicles. And to add to that, I lived in the USA for three years," McKenzie said.

"To me they are more comfortable and feel safe, because when I am overtaking on the right-hand side of the road, the oncoming vehicle is on the right, but I am on the left and out of immediate danger," she continued.

Judge by curb

She went on to explain that "when I'm driving, I can judge how close I am to the curb on the left. That way I can better judge how close I am to the car on the opposite side of my vehicle."

However, there are other motorists who question the practicality of driving a left-hand-drive vehicle in Jamaica. One such is student Mark Tomlinson.

"Some drivers of those vehicles tend to misjudge how far they need to go over to the right to overtake, and cause accidents," he said.

"It's more practical and safer to drive a right-hand-drive vehicle in Jamaica as we overtake on the right. And the roadways are designed in such a way to accommodate right-hand-drive vehicles.

"I don't see myself driving a left-hand vehicle here; it doesn't make sense to me," Tomlinson noted.

Another student, Darrion Mitchell, says he is more familiar with travelling in right-hand-drive vehicles.

"I can judge the distance from another vehicle a lot better and I can 'centre' a pothole more accurately. I feel more comfortable driving the right-hand-drive vehicles," he said.

On the other hand, motorist Dwayne Pottinger says that manoeuvring corners and parking seem a lot easier when he drives a left-hand-drive vehicle, while Warren Buckle fell in love with the left-hand vehicle by chance.

"I like American 'muscle cars', like the Ford models, and they happen to be a left-hand-drive vehicle," he said. "As a matter of fact, I grew up travelling in those types of vehicles, so I have got used to them. So, although some people might think it's impractical to drive them on our roads, I believe a good driver can drive a left-hand-drive vehicle well on the Jamaican thoroughfares. After all, a good driver is just that, no matter the environment," Pottinger said.