INSTEAD OF complaining about too many vehicles on our roads, outflows of foreign exchange and government decreasing duties and the special consumption tax rate, the Opposition should rather lobby the Government to stop the importation of left-hand drive vehicles (as Jamaica is a right-hand drive country), as these are the gas guzzlers (Tundra, Escalade, etc.,) incompatible with our roads and a danger to other road users.

Second-hand vehicles

The importation of second-hand vehicles should also be limited, as in many cases they have not been specified for our conditions, parts are difficult to source, repairs can take a long time due to repair manuals being printed in the language of the country they were designed to operate in, and special service tools are not easily available for these models.

As people have continued to purchase new vehicles over the years, I believe there are enough second-hand vehicles around to satisfy the second-hand market. New vehicle dealers are often criticised for not trading in the vehicles that they sell. Well, no wonder, and how can you blame them when the island is awash with second-hand vehicles?

Many countries throughout the world do not allow the importation of second-hand vehicles or vehicles whose driving position does not conform to the regulations of their countries, so why should Jamaica continue to be the dumping ground for vehicles from First World countries who no longer want them?

I am, etc.,

JOHN CONNELL

Toyota Jamaica

427 Spanish Town Road

Kingston