Dear Editor,
I wish to compliment the Commissioner of Police (ag) for appealing to the public to come forward with complaints of bribes, or what we would say is shake-down money to avoid prosecution for certain traffic offences.
There are stories out there of rogue cops who harass motorists for a top-up or small piece. And this business has blossomed with the advent of the mini-bus and the increase in hire-car transportation.
Commuters are in a hurry and the mini-bus drivers want to make their money to pay the boss man quickly as well as themselves. So they break the law but are prepared to pay, which can compensate for the overload and speeding.
Every day one can witness traffic violations on the roads, but no one cares. The new craze, especially on the East Bank dual carriageway, is lane violation.
I am amused as I observe motorists abuse the double yellow line on Homestretch Avenue. I wonder if it is misinterpreted by some as an artist’s impression.
However, I must state that I have experienced courtesy and commonsense from some young traffic ranks, and also on making enquiries at the Traffic Department.
We have a joke amongst our friends not to be pulled in on a Friday afternoon as the accommodation over the weekend at the Brickdam lockups will force any self-respecting person to pay to avoid the service.
As a youngster I remember my mother used to set the rat trap overnight and in the morning, as expected, the poor rat would have taken the bait.
That is what I would suggest to the Commissioner: use the trap in your house.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address
provided)
