Letter of the Day | Introduce mandatory training programme for taxi drivers

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Dr Garth Rattary’s article on Sunday, April 13 is quite interesting. It was a creative way to talk about the profound madness we encounter on our roads with these so-called taxi and minibus drivers.

I have personally encounter these taxi and minibus drivers on my way home every evening at Red Hills Road from Eastwood Park intersection turn off to the bridge near Calabar High School.

The taxi drivers, one at every five minutes or less interval, will overtake a whole long line of traffic and drive on the wrong side of the road at very high speeds. This is a normal sight every evening, usually between 3.30 and 4 p.m.

I have seen near collisions, which only divine intervention has prevented, but the way these taxis are being driven an accident is waiting to happen which may leave many injured or even killed.

The Government needs to urgently to rein in these bad drivers in the public transportation system. After all they get the government issued licences, and their job is to transport people safely not to maim and kill.

I recommend that the Government through the Transportation Authority, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force seriously consider implementing a comprehensive driver training programme. Through this programme the taxi and minibus drivers can be re-educated and understand the principles and basic tenets of safe driving.

They need to know that a society is rules based and not free for all to suits anyone’s own selfish needs. This will have to be a well thought programme that ensures that the participants not only become better drivers, but overall better citizens of Jamaica.

This training should be mandatory and should be paid for by the taxi and minibus operators. Once these drivers pass this training only then their licence should be renewed or a new licence issued.

Only by changing the mindset of these operators can we hope to get better taxi and minibus drivers. The police cannot be everywhere all the time and at the same time.

WINSTON BARRETT