Once pleasant countryside drive now a nightmare

What used to be a pleasant and much-anticipated drive out into the rural areas of St Elizabeth and Westmoreland has become a nightmare riddled with potential dangers.

At least it is expected that one should be able to drive with confidence on our main roads, particularly at nights with the badly lit roadways. Any journey beginning west of Santa Cruz into Kingston exposes you to tremendous dangers, in patches or more appropriately lack of patches, on the roads.

From just west of Santa Cruz, then the areas of Goshen, approaching Mandeville, Scotts Pass, Toll Gate are all areas with gaping craters, some in excess of three inches deep and many wider than a vehicle, making comfortable passage a futile exercise.

I have experienced many near misses resulting from sudden swerving to avoid these traps. Many of these craters appeared after the recent rains, but weeks have passed since then and one sees no attempt to address the situation. Invariably, when they are eventually attended to, we will move from a pothole to a mound, making the journey just as uncomfortable.

More than an annoyance

After suffering the loss of tyres, several bent rims and numerous punctures, it is much more than an annoyance and now threatens the well-being of our citizens. I am of the opinion that there is an implicit contract between taxpaying citizens and the relevant authorities, whether local or national. Ultimately, the Government is responsible for our safety, an obligation for which they have reneged.

Maybe some enterprising, legal mind must now look at what prevails and advise on our rights and how to secure them. A specialised practice in securing redress from damage, injury and possible loss of lives could be a lucrative area, for sure there would never be a shortage of cases.

There are many areas throughout the island in a similar state. I have not even mentioned travelling from Sandals Whitehouse west to Ferris and then north across the hills to Montego Bay.

By now the much-vaunted JDIP should be in full swing, negating the perceptions that it is to be used as a political tool. The best part of the journey is, undoubtedly, the section of Highway 2000 which takes you past the rejuvenated train in all its glorious colours which has not moved an inch since its celebrated inaugural ride.

ralstonnunes@yahoo.com, Ralston Nunes, Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth