I was recently in Treasure Beach,and to be honest there are too many people drinking and driving.I know everyone will argue that the accidents are far and few from drinking and driving.

There was major a accident that took place with people from Treasure beach, that left one seriously injured, the rumor was the driver was drinking. We need the police to be called to accidents, and have breathalizer test done. I believe people needs to be held accountable for their actions. If we don't have the breathalizer at least ask them to walk a straight line. When you have people's lives in your hands you must be more responsible. Let's start a drinking and driving campaign.

I am sure this one will generate some responsee.

Having visited Jamaica many many many times, this topic comes up every now and then. I wish the drinking and driving rates were as low in my state as in Jamaica. Seems the tourists are the ones who are more guilty than anyone. I rarely see an intoxicated Jamaican under the age of 60, and even rarer to see them drunk driving. I am not trying to downplay your concern, as one drunk driver is one too many. The "rumor" may have been true. But "drinking" and being drunk are two different things. I believe most Jamaicans understand the possible consequences, but more attention is needed for the tourist who is on vacation,driving after too many rums and Red Stripes, in a place where it is challenging to drive sober, which is on the wrong side of the road to most of us. Throw in the adrenalin rush from being on vacation...We don't even know where the potholes are! Ever try driving the round about in Negril or elsewhere? Requires a little thought, and is not just automatic.

WHAT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND, THE BAR OWNERS, THEY WOULD SELL AND SELL AND SELL THEIR ALCOHOL TO SOMEONE WHO CAN'T EVEN STAND UP STRAIGHT (DEAD DRUNK) AND WHO DON'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP. IT IS A SHAME THAT THEY ARE JUST THINKING ABOUT SELLING THEIR LIQUOR AND NOTHING ELSE. AFTERALL A DRUNKING MAN CANNOT THINK STRAIGHT, SO WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO SAY YOU HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

I totally agree with u Minnesota Ken.

Dear Visitor-From what i know of black
river police stationed in
Treasure beach from my view;

it is very hard to get them to
even respond to a call.
I know of this situation from
a serious incident that happened
to me in march of this year.

For them to talk to me i had
to go to them. They refused
to come to Treasure beach.
The only thing they came
for was to let the local
clubs know to turn down the
music.

I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica and was hit by a drunk driver while driving my motorcycle. This was back in 1985 and the police acted like is was no big deal and the person who hit me, an older Jamaican was not ticketed. Hopefully things have changed since then. Like Minnesota Ken, my home state of Iowa has no tolerance for drinking and driving.

Legal system need to catch up with the drunkades and whoever serves them. Imagine this scenario, a bartender serve a drunk an additonal beer, when looks drunk, the drunk kills or maime some memebr of the public both of them belong in jail ( the drunk and the bartender) or the law should make both offending parties work and compensate the injured party or parties for the rest of their lifes. you hurt someone you lose your freedom, (Sure Jail time).
You have a visitor and you serve he or she more than the individual can handle, you may be liable for contributary negligence. Mandatory jail time for drunk driver will also help plus loss of driving priviledge for six months to one year.
If the judges and the member of the public use the legal system to serve what the drunk deserves may be we will see a change in attitude and responsibility. Don't Drink and drive, the live you save may just be yours.

RE: I rarely see an intoxicated Jamaican under the age of 60, and even rarer to see them drunk driving.

What? You're kidding, right?

No I am not kidding. I am only talking about alcohol, not ganja. The older Jamaicans tend to be drinkers more than younger folks. Just a plain fact. I said rarely, which should not be confused with never. I would estimate that for every one drunk Jamaican there are 20 drunk tourists.
I have been to Jamaica over 20 times since 1984. Do others see what I see or am I missing the boat as "Drunk in Jamaica" would suggest?

Minnesota Ken, I have to agree with Drunk in Jamaica. In my 10 years of visiting the island, I've seen all types of people and ages drunk behind the wheel.

Some have been tourists, others have been returned residents in town during Christmas acting like tourists on vacation, but most have been Jamaicans.

It seems to me that the feeling that its not a problem on the island is similar to what it was like in the US before MADD and law enforcement starting campaigning against it. People just didn't take it seriously.

I must agree that most of the older Jamaicans tend to be the drinkers, while the younger ones are the smokers. From my point of view, world-wide Jamaica is known as a tourist attraction. People will visit and expect to drink alcohol where-ever they are with no one bothering them about it. The police are not as strict as they should be with the drinking and driving, especially in the most popular areas for tourists.

Here we go again - gee,let's go to another country and change their laws because they don't suit us! I'm not sure where all the folks on this thread are from, but if you're not from Jamaica and don't like the rules in Jamaica, then maybe you should just stay home. Let the people who live in the country decide how things should be run. Besides, my experience has been that the bus drivers are the scary ones!