THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM not usually someone who criticises the police, but on Saturday, December 13, whilst on my way to Montego Bay, I was stopped by the police in the Runaway Bay Area of St. Ann.
I thought it was a routine stop but to my surprise I was stopped for speeding. I was so shocked because the officer told me that I was driving 82km per hour in a 50km per hour zone. I then asked the officer to show me the signs that indicated the speed limit in the area, he went on to mumble something which I did not even hear and said to me that he don't have to show me any sign because the radar gun said I was 'speeding'.
I want to ask the police a question. How can you stop motorists in an area which is not built-up, no schools, no church, no businessplaces , not even one building and most importantly no signs and give them tickets for speeding. This was my first ticket since I have been driving, I was deducted 2 points and fined a whopping $5,000. If I was not from Portmore I would not have signed the ticket. However, it would cost me more to go to court in St. Anns Bay than to pay the fine so I signed it. I am very upset because I don't usually speed.
The authorities need to put up more visible signs and stop erecting them in bushes because that way unsuspecting motorists like me will be prosecuted for an offence we are not even aware that we are committing. Before I left the scene six more motorists were stopped and charged and the only reason more were not stopped was because there were only three officers on spot.
I am, etc.,
LEIGHTON CORNWALL
leighwall@hotmail.com
c/o Greater Portmore
Via Go-Jamaica
