THE JAMAICA ACTION PARTY
J A P
Road Condition
It is quite common to drive on a nice roadway and return three years later to find it in a state of total disrepair. The
lack of maintainance of our roads is one of the major reason why our road network is in such a poor state. The
other is the poor standard which is used in the maintainance and rehabilitation of our roadways. Procedures must
be put in place for the proper and timely maintainance, and rehabilitation of our roads. The constant resurfacing of
our roads has led to many of them being above the level of the sidewalk and water hydrants almost covered.
Existing asphalt need to be scraped off before being resurfaced. Bridges are not spared either as tons of asphalt
are dumped on them thus increasing the weight that the bridge must support. This is totally undesirable as it
could pose a danger since the maximum vehiclelar weight is not revised downwards. JAP will put in place a proper
maintainance schedule for all our roads beginning with our arterial roads followed by our secondary then feeder
roads. A network will be set up with some members of the motoring public so that potholes and other problems
which poses serious danger can be fixed immediately.
Dangers
Some of the major dangers on our roads are posed by indicipline drivers, potholes, improper design and marking
of traffic islands and road dividers, stray animals and poor visibility due to bushes and improperly built walls. The
danger of indicipline drivers and pothole will be dealt with as stated in 'Road Condition' and 'Indicipline' above.
Immediate steps will be taken to remove, modify and mark traffic islands and road dividers as needed. Road
marking will also guide drivers away from these dangers. Stray animals found on roads with 80 km/H speed limit
and above will be impounded. Beautification projects will be limited to low shrubs as often plants become
overgrown and block the view of predestrians and motorists. Trees should not be planted along roadway for
beautification. as many motorist have been killed from crashing into these trees in accidents which might have
resulted only in minor injuries if these trees had not been planted there. The area beside our roadway should be
kept clear of all obstacles as far as is possible. Step will have to be taken to improve the visibility where view is
obstrucued by walls and other fixtures. This is especially true at some intersections where it is necessary to
venture out half way into the roadway before the driver can see if the way is clear.
Safety
A major safety programme will be launched in our schools and among the general public as to the proper use of
the roadway. Minimum speed limit will be set on our toll highways. Persons driving way below the speed limit and
obstructing traffic will be charge for this offence. Proper signage will be erected to specify the speed limit
throughout the country.
Seizure of motor vehicles
The offences for which motor vehicles can be siezed will be review and amended to best serve the interest of the
public.
Points System and Fines
The license of a driver should only be suspended or disqualified where it is deemed that he poses a danger to
other road users due to a specific action or series of actions. As it stands the point system does not serve that
purpose and JAP proposes to revamp and overall it. The first act will be to remove points from all non-moving
violations. Give example. Other violations such as having a blown head light bulb will not carry points as while
driving one is not in a position to know that a bulb has been blown.. The points for each offence will be removed
after three years instead all point beng removed after three year without receiving any additional points. Persons
will also have the option of removing a set number of points within a prescribed period by completing an approved
safety class and/or a course in defensive driving.
The level of fines will also be look at with a view of decreasing the propsed fines as set out in the new road code
act. This onerous fineis unfair will not serve to improve road safety but instead will be burdensome and increase
curruption. The argument that if you obey the law you need not worry about these penalties is invalid and will not
be pursued.
A system of accurately recording and keeping track of points accumulated by all drivers .will be implemented.
Drivers will be required to keep their address current as they must inform the tax office and get a replacement
licence within three months of a change in their address. In this way persons can be notified to surrender their
licence when they have accumulated the required points. Persons who are ticketed and fail to pay their fines or
attend court, will have their licence suspended until they have met the requirements set out instead of being
arrested.
The option of clearing all points and starting afresh will be considered but any fines associated with all tickets will
have to be paid.
Predestrians.
Laws against jay-wakling will be introduced as many accidents occur when careless presdestrians are hit or
drivers crashes as they try to avoid them. Ways to assist parents and discourage small children from using the
road by themself will be looked at
Page 1 2
It is quite common to drive on a nice roadway and return three years later to find it in a state of total disrepair. The
lack of maintainance of our roads is one of the major reason why our road network is in such a poor state. The
other is the poor standard which is used in the maintainance and rehabilitation of our roadways. Procedures must
be put in place for the proper and timely maintainance, and rehabilitation of our roads. The constant resurfacing of
our roads has led to many of them being above the level of the sidewalk and water hydrants almost covered.
Existing asphalt need to be scraped off before being resurfaced. Bridges are not spared either as tons of asphalt
are dumped on them thus increasing the weight that the bridge must support. This is totally undesirable as it
could pose a danger since the maximum vehiclelar weight is not revised downwards. JAP will put in place a proper
maintainance schedule for all our roads beginning with our arterial roads followed by our secondary then feeder
roads. A network will be set up with some members of the motoring public so that potholes and other problems
which poses serious danger can be fixed immediately.
Dangers
Some of the major dangers on our roads are posed by indicipline drivers, potholes, improper design and marking
of traffic islands and road dividers, stray animals and poor visibility due to bushes and improperly built walls. The
danger of indicipline drivers and pothole will be dealt with as stated in 'Road Condition' and 'Indicipline' above.
Immediate steps will be taken to remove, modify and mark traffic islands and road dividers as needed. Road
marking will also guide drivers away from these dangers. Stray animals found on roads with 80 km/H speed limit
and above will be impounded. Beautification projects will be limited to low shrubs as often plants become
overgrown and block the view of predestrians and motorists. Trees should not be planted along roadway for
beautification. as many motorist have been killed from crashing into these trees in accidents which might have
resulted only in minor injuries if these trees had not been planted there. The area beside our roadway should be
kept clear of all obstacles as far as is possible. Step will have to be taken to improve the visibility where view is
obstrucued by walls and other fixtures. This is especially true at some intersections where it is necessary to
venture out half way into the roadway before the driver can see if the way is clear.
Safety
A major safety programme will be launched in our schools and among the general public as to the proper use of
the roadway. Minimum speed limit will be set on our toll highways. Persons driving way below the speed limit and
obstructing traffic will be charge for this offence. Proper signage will be erected to specify the speed limit
throughout the country.
Seizure of motor vehicles
The offences for which motor vehicles can be siezed will be review and amended to best serve the interest of the
public.
Points System and Fines
The license of a driver should only be suspended or disqualified where it is deemed that he poses a danger to
other road users due to a specific action or series of actions. As it stands the point system does not serve that
purpose and JAP proposes to revamp and overall it. The first act will be to remove points from all non-moving
violations. Give example. Other violations such as having a blown head light bulb will not carry points as while
driving one is not in a position to know that a bulb has been blown.. The points for each offence will be removed
after three years instead all point beng removed after three year without receiving any additional points. Persons
will also have the option of removing a set number of points within a prescribed period by completing an approved
safety class and/or a course in defensive driving.
The level of fines will also be look at with a view of decreasing the propsed fines as set out in the new road code
act. This onerous fineis unfair will not serve to improve road safety but instead will be burdensome and increase
curruption. The argument that if you obey the law you need not worry about these penalties is invalid and will not
be pursued.
A system of accurately recording and keeping track of points accumulated by all drivers .will be implemented.
Drivers will be required to keep their address current as they must inform the tax office and get a replacement
licence within three months of a change in their address. In this way persons can be notified to surrender their
licence when they have accumulated the required points. Persons who are ticketed and fail to pay their fines or
attend court, will have their licence suspended until they have met the requirements set out instead of being
arrested.
The option of clearing all points and starting afresh will be considered but any fines associated with all tickets will
have to be paid.
Predestrians.
Laws against jay-wakling will be introduced as many accidents occur when careless presdestrians are hit or
drivers crashes as they try to avoid them. Ways to assist parents and discourage small children from using the
road by themself will be looked at
Page 1 2
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