Motorists warned against reckless driving on newly opened section of South Coast Highway

   

Motorists are being warned that they will be prosecuted for reckless behaviour along the recently opened roadway from Marabella to Ten Miles, Bull Bay, St. Thomas, despite the area being a construction zone.

 

Representatives from the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), National Works Agency (NWA) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) toured the area on Thursday.

 

Ten kilometres or two lanes of the four-lane highway were opened last week.

 

The roadway is intended to span 17 kilometres from Harbour View, St. Andrew to the Yallahs Bridge in St. Thomas.

 

PSTEB head Assistant Commissioner of Police Gary McKenzie expressed concern about the crashes which have occurred.

 

ACP McKenzie reminded motorists that the road is still under construction. 

 

"We have observed that this particular incline have (sic) some cut outs that are serving as some temporary rumble strips, which is very good because persons have been slowing down," he said, adding that the police will ensure they provide the necessary monitoring and will collaborate with those carrying out the road work. 

 

He said steps will be taken to ensure the police can lawfully prosecute motorists who breach the Road Traffic Act. 

 

"Of course, it being a construction zone, which is provided for under the Road Traffic Act, we are making the fact that these safety issues, the public ought to be aware of it. We will also ensure that we apply for it to be gazetted as such so that we will be covered in terms of monitoring in a full way, because where persons disobey the signs or the directions of persons who are managing the entire area, then that will become an offence," said ACP McKenzie.