Jamaica Government Warned To Implement New Measures To Curb Road Fatalities

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Apr. 8, (CMC) – The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is warning that Jamaica could surpass 400 traffic fatalities this year and is using the government to implement strategies to deal with the situation.

Officials from the NRSC met with Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday and the Council Vice-Chairman Dr Lucien Jones said that the government had pledged to support the campaign to reduce road fatalities.

He said with road fatalities already exceeding last year’s numbers for the corresponding period, there was need for urgent intervention.

Jones warned that without urgent intervention, Jamaica will surpass previous records of more than 400 traffic fatalities, which were last experienced in the 1990s. There have already been more than 100 fatal crashes since January this year.

Jones said that the Council would be conducting a probe into the importation of motorcycles amid reports that they are imported disassembled and then reassembled for sale.

The Council official said there is concern as to whether or not there are adequate safety procedures being followed before the motorcycles are used on the road.

The new Road Traffic Act, currently before Parliament, is being looked to as a major asset in the effort to curb the number of road crashes.

Sweeping changes are expected if the Bill is passed. These include stiffer penalties for infringements as well as mandatory training and licensing of motorcyclists.

Jones said, based on his discussions with representatives of both major political parties, the Act should be passed without further delays.