Why must we tolerate indiscipline on our roads?​

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Every day it becomes more frustrating to tolerate the indiscipline on our roads.

There is a set of motorists, in particular, taxi drivers, who behave as though they are above the law. As a result of their actions, they have influenced other motorists who behave in like manner. Every day I travel on Hope Road and Old Hope Road, and this is what I see:

1. They deliberately drive through the red light. To them, red means ‘go’.

2. They have to be at the front of the line at all times and so, when the traffic is at a standstill, they get out of the line and speedily bore in front of other motorists until they get to the front of the line.

3. Even though they are not turning right, they go in the filter lane so that, when the light changes to green, they speedily head towards the adjacent lane and bore in front of motorists until they are at the front of the line.

4. They form their own lanes.

5. At times, they stop in the lane, load their taxis and, even when the light changes to green, they remain in the lane, preventing the vehicles behind them from moving forward.

6. They drive above the speed limit.

7. They have no regard for pedestrians and pedestrian crossings.

On Monday, the traffic was at a standstill because the police were directing the flow, (yet) I counted more than 20 taxis and other vehicles which speedily overtook us in their presence. As a result, we spent a much longer time in line.

I am calling on police officers to spend less time ticketing law-abiding citizens who forget to turn on their indicators or drive in the correct lane, and to focus on the indisciplined, erratic taxi drivers, to bring some semblance of order and discipline to our roads.

Indisciplined drivers should not be made to feel that their behaviour is acceptable and must be condoned. When they travel overseas, they dare not drive in this manner.

Come on, police officers. Be fair. Do your job and maintain law and order on our roads.

Y. IRVING

KINGSTON 6