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A Linstead, St Catherine taxi driver has shared a ticket online that he said he received for what a cop described as "violently sucking out a medium Champagne Busta and swirling his tongue around the rim of the bottle" while transporting passengers.

The $2,500 ticket, which has since gone viral on social media, has left many Jamaicans both amused and curious. But according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Gary McKenzie, head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, the charge is no joke.

"If it's a public passenger vehicle (PPV) and the driver is eating or drinking while carrying passengers, then he would be in breach of the law," McKenzie told THE STAR. "The description might be quite graphic, but it is what it is; the officer will describe what is seen."

The law in question, coded as P011 under the Road Traffic Act, prohibits a driver or conductor from "eating or drinking while carrying a passenger". While most motorists might be familiar with speeding tickets and seat-belt violations, this particular offence is rarely highlighted. McKenzie made a point of warning PPV drivers to take it seriously.

"When you're operating a public passenger vehicle, the level of care required is much higher than that of a private driver. If one of your hands is occupied with food or drink, it reduces your ability to properly maneuver the vehicle and puts passengers at risk," he explained.

Though some members of the public have been laughing at the officer's rather colourful description of the incident, road safety officials remain focused on their mission: reducing traffic deaths. With 86 road fatalities recorded as of March 26, Jamaica has seen a 19 per cent decrease in deadly crashes, compared to the corresponding period last year. The Island Traffic Authority has credited this decline to stricter enforcement of road laws and is urging all motorists, especially PPV drivers, to be extra cautious.

"People don't realise that something as simple as drinking or eating while driving could lead to a serious accident. It might seem small, but these distractions add up," McKenzie added.

The driver is scheduled to appear in the Linstead Parish Court on May 14.