Kimesha Walters, Gleaner Writer
One concerned citizen is intent on creating a better society and claims to "almost have to act as a police officer" in advocating for a positive change in the country.
In his quest to create a better society, The Reverend Herro Blair Jr wrote an appealing letter to the editor, which earned him the prestigious Silver Pen award for September.
Blair, who left Jamaica in 1992, came back last January in a bid to help transform the country. As the head of Youth for Christ, he is concerned about discipline but more so about young people, and thinks indiscipline in the transportation system contributes to immorality and recklessness.
Now, he is calling for swift action to be taken before the situation gets out of hand. In his letter to the editor titled 'Bring order to transportation system', Blair expressed concerns about the speed at which buses are driven.
"They swing in and out of traffic, overtake large numbers of vehicles and drive as if they are cowboys in a western," he wrote.
"Are we to wait until several more accidents claim the lives of our children?" he asked. His plea is for something to be done before another life is taken.
Speed limit for buses
Blair suggested a speed limit for buses transporting people, but has acknowledged that this might also be a problem.
"I know they don't recognise the existing speed limits, but perhaps we should say that no bus transporting people should be allowed to drive more than 50km/h," Blair wrote.
He made other proposals including a requirement for all bus drivers
and conductors to wear uniforms and said all the laws should be enforced by taking buses in breach off the road.
The youth leader recognises that some of this is already being done and applauds the police for a step in the right direction. He believes that only when the owner of vehicles and operators in the transport sector feel the pinch of their actions will they "enforce any retributary penalties on the drivers and conductors".
Blair told The Gleaner that drivers alone were not to blame, as passengers helped to contribute to indiscipline and he urged them to take a stand now. At times, he said he has encouraged drivers to turn down and even turn off lewd music that flood the ears of passengers.