Dear Editor,
Almost every year at this time, we bemoan the number of people killed on our roads. And, while I have no proof that improper driving on multi-lane highways is a cause of fatal accidents, it's just a matter of time.
Every time I visit the Kingston and St Catherine areas I am astounded by the way motorists use the Mandela Highway and the three-lane Portmore toll road. But it's probably not their fault, as I cannot remember any educational campaign being pursued to enlighten them.
It's a simple equation. In a situation, like Jamaica, where we drive on the left, the convention is that slower vehicles keep in the left lane and the other lane(s) are clear for overtaking and vehicles travelling faster.
Just check any afternoon on the Mandela Highway or any morning/evening on the Portmore toll road and see how many drivers are making dangerous manoeuvres to get by slower-moving vehicles which are sitting in the passing lane -- sometimes three vehicles abreast (Portmore toll). It's mind-numbing.
The National Road Safety Council needs to find the funds to finance a public education campaign, maybe for six months, to educate the motoring public in this regard. And for the first six weeks they could work with members of the Police Traffic Division to reinforce this.
Jamaicans are, by nature, impatient, and anything that can be done to prevent dangerous driving and taking chances in trying to overtake should be looked at. This is a simple and straightforward measure.
Stephen Harrison
St Mary
stepharrison28@gmail.com
Stay in the left lane, slow drivers!
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Almost every year at this time, we bemoan the number of people killed on our roads. And, while I have no proof that improper driving on multi-lane highways is a cause of fatal accidents, it's just a matter of time.
Every time I visit the Kingston and St Catherine areas I am astounded by the way motorists use the Mandela Highway and the three-lane Portmore toll road. But it's probably not their fault, as I cannot remember any educational campaign being pursued to enlighten them.
It's a simple equation. In a situation, like Jamaica, where we drive on the left, the convention is that slower vehicles keep in the left lane and the other lane(s) are clear for overtaking and vehicles travelling faster.
Just check any afternoon on the Mandela Highway or any morning/evening on the Portmore toll road and see how many drivers are making dangerous manoeuvres to get by slower-moving vehicles which are sitting in the passing lane -- sometimes three vehicles abreast (Portmore toll). It's mind-numbing.
The National Road Safety Council needs to find the funds to finance a public education campaign, maybe for six months, to educate the motoring public in this regard. And for the first six weeks they could work with members of the Police Traffic Division to reinforce this.
Jamaicans are, by nature, impatient, and anything that can be done to prevent dangerous driving and taking chances in trying to overtake should be looked at. This is a simple and straightforward measure.
Stephen Harrison
St Mary
stepharrison28@gmail.com
Stay in the left lane, slow drivers!
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