Too much of the wrong kind!

I could not help but feel amused and at the same time perplexed at various comments made in the editorial "Too much zeal of the wrong kind" (September 10).

From the various observations made, it is apparent that it is not yet clearly understood which contraventions have been delegated to the local wardens and how the system works.

A quite presumptuous, and, may I add, dangerous starting point which the editorialist appears to have taken for granted is that all those who send letters complaining about some ticket or another are right. We all know that there are two sides to a story, and the local tribunal is the right and legal place where these complaints are presented for consideration.

I want to make clear that I understand that local wardens are not perfect, and they do make mistakes, sometimes at the expense of law-abiding citizens who have to go through the legal system to get their due.

One of the reasons for this is that the computerised system being used does not allow corrective measures to be taken after a contravention has been entered. This has been built into the system to make sure that it cannot be abused by anyone.

A frequent complaint, and one which is repeated in the editorial, is that sitting ducks are being targeted and that only 'some' cars are issued with contraventions.

Contrary to public beliefs, which seem to have now become an urban legend, local wardens issue tickets to cars contravening particular laws delegated to local councils for enforcing, only when they witness such acts. This means that another vehicle, which contravenes any specific law after the local warden has moved on, is not issued with a ticket and appears to have been 'let off'.

It must also be appreciated that local wardens are not everywhere all the time, and they can only issue contraventions when they witness such acts. This is a legal prerequisite for any case to get off the ground.

Another important aspect one needs to understand is that local wardens have been heavily criticised for being over-zealous and for not giving a chance to drivers who are still in their driving seat. Now that they are doing this, they are being attacked for being unfair. I think that we need to decide what we want from the local wardens - after all we need to appreciate that they are doing a very difficult job.

I agree with the editorialist that "there is far too much stupidity and beastliness on our roads", and the local wardens are doing their utmost to control this behaviour. That in itself is no easy task!

It is quite unreasonable to expect more, when people abuse them both verbally and physically, and seem to think they have a God-given right to go against the law. Then to add insult to injury, on the rare occasions these people are arraigned, they are either handed down some petty fine, or liberated on some legal technicality.

I also agree with the editorialist when he says "needless to say, ... good wardens do exist... We need more of them." It is also important that we all try and cooperate by keeping to the rules of the road and observing the highway code. If we all did, there would be no need for local wardens at all.

Mr De Martino is managing director, The Guard & Warden Service House Ltd.