Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has stressed that the new Road Traffic Act is not meant to punish citizens or obtain revenue.
He made the address on Tuesday at the National Land Agency’s Systematic Land Registration Land Titling ceremony at the New Forest High School.
Holness stated that while the child restraint restrictions in the new Road Traffic Act remain the nation’s goal, there will be amendments. However, he said the Act intends to enforce child safety measures in public transit.
“We understand, it is not practical, but it remains our aspiration. I encourage all parents; I encourage all public passenger transport users [to] look about the safety of yourself and your children when you use public passenger transport. Don’t be ashamed to put on the seatbelt in the back of the car and if your child is lucky enough to get a seat in the car and they get the middle seat, put on the lap belt on them,” he said.
The prime minister also urged road users to adopt road safety measures, noting that Jamaica is entering a new era of law enforcement.
“The enforcement is about public order and public safety. Meaning your safety, that is what it is about, so I urge Jamaicans, don’t get caught up in some of the nonsense that is being said. Your country is changing right before your very eyes, but when you are in the midst of change, it can appear confusing, chaotic, and oftentimes imperceptible. But when the history is written and you look back at this era and you asked yourself when did things change for traffic management and public order in Jamaica, the historians will have to point to this period in Jamaica’s history,” Holness said.
His remarks come after public debate and the second day of a taxi strike in several parts of the country.
Several of transport operators have withdrawn their services in response to sections of the Road Traffic Act, as well as issues with the Government’s move to clamp down on outstanding traffic tickets, among other concerns.
Scores of commuters in several parishes were left stranded amid the protest.
