ON THE MATTER of the behaviour being exhibited on some of the island's public service vehicles (PSVs), I really think it is time that owners of these vehicles are held accountable for the actions of their employees.

The schoolchildren can only be that rowdy if the adult in the situation is irresponsible enough to initiate or even take an active role in lawless behaviour, showing no regard for other road users or the safety of passengers.

These PSVs are reported repeatedly by police for the numerous ways they choose to disregard the road laws; they are constantly questioned at inspection because of one infraction or another; the employers hire drivers without a thorough background check on the person in whose hands they place dozens, even hundreds of lives daily.

In the final analysis, owners are the ones responsible for inspecting their vehicles to ensure that any accessories that they disapprove of are not added; for example DVD players, cropped mufflers to increase noise, tints, horns, CD players and so on.

They have no control over what the drivers play or the volume, but their duty is not only to collect money at the day's end, but to pay attention to their public's complaints.

They must monitor the frequency and reasons for court appearances their drivers make, as well as be more wary in their hiring policies.

I speak subject to correction here, more often than not, when the drivers are reported by police and are fined after they make a court appearance, the owner has no involvement in the matter. Am I to understand that the owners are unaware of these cases, or is it that they dont care?

I think it is high time owners take some responsibility for the unprofessional conduct of their employees whilst their vehicle is in their possession.

- DENISE WICKHAM