In light of the recent spate of accidents during political motorcades preceding Jamaica’s upcoming local government election on February 26, law enforcement has issued a stern warning against any violations of the Road Traffic Act.
Assistant Commissioner Gary McKenzie, who leads the Public Safety & Traffic Enforcement Branch, emphasized this stance, indicating a crackdown on both drivers and passengers flouting the regulations.
Surge in incidents raises concerns
The cautionary statement follows a series of unfortunate incidents, with the most recent involving a 15-year-old boy named Lamar Grey.
Grey sustained serious injuries after falling from a bus during a People’s National Party motorcade in Portmore, St Catherine.
Prior to Grey’s accident, another tragic incident occurred involving 32-year-old Shovin Thompson.
Thompson was leaving a funeral when he joined a Jamaica Labour Party motorcade on a Toyota Hiace bus and subsequently fell to his death.
Upholding law and order
Addressing the public safety concerns on Radio Jamaica’s Beyond the Headlines program, ACP McKenzie reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to ensuring order during motorcade events.
He highlighted the prevalence of individuals who wrongly perceive themselves as exempt from legal scrutiny due to their participation in the motorcade procession.
Sensitization efforts in progress
McKenzie emphasized the necessity of educating participants about the applicable laws, emphasizing that adherence to regulations is imperative irrespective of their involvement in the motorcade.
Such sensitization efforts, he stressed, are integral to fostering a culture of compliance and accountability among participants.
