The Editor, Sir:

My article that appeared in last Sunday's Gleaner came under the editor's scalpel mainly because it exceeded the space allotted to me. However, what was not included contained what I consider to be very important information.

I had interviewed DSP Wayne Cameron of Police Traffic Headquarters and had included this in the said article. The portion which I thought was integral to the article was as follows:

When contacted, Deputy Superintendent Wayne Cameron stated that, at present, the use of cellphones while driving is not against the law. However, the police team assigned the task of working with the Ministry of Transport and Works on a revised Road Traffic Act has recommended that it be outlawed.

major distraction

This is because "it represents a major distraction". DSP Cameron goes on, "driving is a full-time job requiring full concentration".

It must be pointed out that DSP Cameron, who is attached to Traffic Headquarters, noted that the only exception to the proposed law is the use of 'blue-tooth' of other hands-free devices with the cellphone.

He noted "the use of cellphones while driving, particularly driving while texting (DWT), creates the conditions for loss of focus, which can lead to careless driving and other breaches of the Road Traffic law, at best, and traffic collisions, at worst".

anecdotal instances

The deputy superintendent reported anecdotal instances where the use of the cellphone while driving has led to a number of accidents, particularly single-vehicle ones. He said "until cellphone usage while driving is banned under the law, the police cannot seize a cellphone and check its usage".

The proposed changes in the Road Traffic Act will soon be tabled in Parliament, according to DSP Cameron.

I am, etc.,

EGERTON CHANG

e_rider69@hotmail.com

Kingston