Indiscipline on the roads: A symptom of moral decay

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I write with deep concern about the overwhelming breakdown of discipline that now characterises the behaviour of many motorists on our roads – an alarming reflection of the wider decay taking root in Jamaican society.

Every day, people are forced to navigate a disorderly and increasingly dangerous traffic environment. Motorists routinely ignore stop lights, block intersections, overtake recklessly, use the shoulder as a lane, refuse to yield, and show outright hostility when corrected. What was once occasional has now become the norm. It is as though the rules no longer matter and personal convenience has replaced any sense of responsibility to others.

But this reckless disregard is not merely a traffic issue; it is a symptom of something much deeper. The indiscipline on our roads mirrors the erosion of respect, accountability, and civic duty across the society. Whether in schools, public offices, business spaces, or on the street, the same attitude prevails – “every man for himself”. We are watching the slow unravelling of the social fabric that once held our communities together.

If we cannot enforce basic rules on our roads, how can we expect order in other aspects of national life? When consequences are inconsistent or non-existent, indiscipline multiplies. When persons believe that they can do as they please without penalty, chaos becomes entrenched. Jamaica cannot afford for this to continue.

The relevant authorities –traffic police, policymakers, and civic groups – should treat this as more than a traffic problem. It is a national crisis of discipline, values, and governance. The restoration of order must start somewhere, and the roads are as good a place as any. A society that cannot regulate daily conduct will struggle to achieve broader development and stability.

We need firm, consistent enforcement, but we also need a cultural reset. Unless we recommit to shared responsibility, respect for law, and concern for one another, Jamaica’s decline in discipline will only worsen.

People need to recognise that the roadways are a mirror of who we are becoming – and to decide that we can, and must, do better.

CONCERNED CITIZEN