JCF gets 3,000 new e-ticketing machines

The Jamaica Constabulary Force on Tuesday received 3,000 rugged e-ticketing machines in a ceremony at the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) Elletson Road headquarters in Kingston.

The new machines will be managed by the PSTEB. Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, noted that the first 700 e-ticketing machines brought an exponential increase in the number of traffic tickets issued. He cautioned the motoring public, however, that the police would rather see a further improvement in the behaviour of motorists.

"What we hope to see is that we don't have any reason to issue that many tickets, because traffic tickets are optional to the person who receives them. You have a choice and the best choice is not to do those things that are ticketable. Sometimes you have to exercise a little patience, especially over this period," he said.

Anderson also underscored the issue of road fatalities and urged persons to obey the rules of the road at all times. Highlighting the issue of speeding, he said, "We don't like to go to scenes where we have these fatal accidents ... mangled cars ... destroyed lives... ."

"And for what?" he questioned. "To get there 15 minutes earlier? It does not make sense."

Anderson also gave the assurance that an increased number of police personnel has already been deployed and the police are committed to keeping people safe.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, outlined that the new machines were labelled 'rugged' as they were upgraded to make them operate more efficiently in the Jamaican weather.