Traffic cops must take charge of Half-Way Tree

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Our police force needs to get its act together overall, but today I am concentrating on the Traffic Division. Most mornings when I am passing through the Half-Way Tree area about 8 o'clock, I note that it's devoid of members of the Traffic Division, and that's when chaos reigns supreme.

The taxi men, busmen and loader men all have a field day. Taxis are parked and picking up passengers in the turning lanes, buses stop in no-stopping and/or no-parking zones, and they are a law unto themselves.

The only time when any semblance of order takes place is when the police are there early, and I emphasise the word 'semblance', as they still continue their illegal acts but with a little restraint.

And talking about the police acting, why are they so eager to prosecute the private motorists and so reluctant to do so with the public passenger drivers? Is it because (and it's an open secret) a high number of taxis and buses are owned by members of the security forces?

A case in point: Some weeks ago, a constable was ticketing me for turning on to South Odeon Avenue without any indication. While he was writing the ticket, a taxi stopped literally at his feet and let off two passengers in the middle of the road. When I pointed out this infraction to him right under his nose, without even batting an eyelid, all he said was, "You can't see everything." I was amazed, but not surprised.

GERALD CAMERON