PUMP ACTION

Jamaica's traffic police have said they are aware that fewer air dispensers are operational at service stations around the island and continue to advise motorists to exercise extreme caution in the event they get a flat tyre.

"It is better to be safe than sorry," said Senior Superintendent of Police Radcliffe Lewis, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Traffic Division at Elletson Road, Kingston.

The hands-on senior superintendent of police said motorists who find themselves in this predicament, especially at nights, should try and make it to a well-lit area.

"If you develop a flat, and in a dark area where you feel unsafe, it is best to 'rim' the vehicle to safety," he said. "It's better to lose a tyre than your life."

SSP Lewis said motorists should call the police if they find themselves in difficult situations.

"Call us and tell us where you are. And, call your family members too," he said.

SSP Lewis said it was unfortunate that persons were removing the hoses and vandalising air pumps, which has caused inconvenience for law-abiding citizens.

"Based on information received by the police, some of these hoses turn up on trailers," he said. "We understand the air pumps are vandalised by some trailer drivers who remove the hoses and keep them for use on their trucks. But truckers are not the only ones."

Heavy-duty trailers

Trucks and heavy-duty trailers are equipped with air compressors. These illegally removed hoses are functional on the air compressors on those vehicles.

"Please desist from vandalising the pumps, or else!" Lewis warned the perpetrators.

Recently, Trevor Heaven, president of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association, said due to the high cost of electricity, vandalism and high maintenance, proposals have been made for motorists to pay for compressed air.

"There have been discussions over the past two or three years, as to whether service stations should move to a new arrangement of providing air for which the motorist will have to pay," he said.

- Brian Bonitto