MANDEVILLE, Jamaica — A high-speed pursuit through the heart of Manchester on Tuesday afternoon has once again brought attention to the growing concerns over untraceable vehicles bearing demonstration plates.
The chase began around 12:30 p.m. when officers conducting routine speed checks on the Williamsfield leg of the PJ Patterson Highway clocked a red Mercedes Benz GLE 450 traveling at more than double the posted speed limit. Attempts to intercept the SUV failed, sparking a coordinated pursuit involving multiple units across Area Three Highway Patrol.
Despite being intercepted by a secondary police team near Williamsfield, the driver fled the scene once more—this time triggering a collision involving two other vehicles, including a truck, along the Winston Jones Highway. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.
The driver, who reportedly claimed to be affiliated with a car mart, was taken into custody. However, his use of a demonstration plate—commonly referred to as a “blue plate”—has rekindled concerns among law enforcement officials.
“These demo plates pose a real enforcement gap,” noted a police source close to the matter. “They’re not registered in a way that allows us to trace the driver or the dealership quickly in situations like this.”
Constable Barrett of the highway patrol echoed the sentiment: “Motorists need to obey police signals. We’re seeing more cases where demo plate users evade responsibility, and our current system doesn’t allow for real-time accountability.”
The incident is the latest in a string of evasive maneuvers involving vehicles with temporary tags. Authorities are now urging regulators to reevaluate the framework governing demonstration plates to prevent future exploitation.
