As crash fatalities continue to take place, the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and the Police Traffic Division are cautioning motorists to take greater responsibility for their safety on the road, particularly at several ‘bad spots’ on the island’s thoroughfares. This caution is being made ahead of the upcoming Christmas season and in view of the upcoming observance of Sunday’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Each year, millions of newly injured and bereaved people worldwide are added to the countless millions already suffering as the result of a road crash. World Day of Remembrance for World Traffic Victims (WDR) provides a day of remembering those killed or injured on roads across the globe, as well as their families and communities, and to pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews, police and medical professionals who daily deal with the traumatic aftermath of road death and injury. WDR will be celebrated globally, inclusive of Jamaica, on Sunday, November 20.
Since the start of the year, there have been 335 road fatalities, compared to 330 for the same time period last year, and 278 in 2014. At the top of the list of ‘bad spots’ are the Llandovery Main Road in St. Ann; Brunswick Avenue, and Dyke Road in St. Catherine; and Spanish Town Road, St. Andrew. The Llandovery Main Road in St. Ann, which stretches from Priory to Montego Bay has had five collisions since January 1, resulting in 15 deaths. Known as the ‘Elegant Corridor’ the roadway has instances of wide roads which suddenly lead to narrow bridges, as well as un-elevated markings to depict medians, so motorists overtake to the far right, posing a problem.
“We have been doing some significant work along this corridor, carrying out numerous operations,” said Acting SSP Courtney Coubrie, head of the Police Traffic Division. “I led an operation recently with my team of Deputy Superintendent in charge of Operations, traffic personnel, examiners and certifying officers from Kingston, as we went and supported the St. Ann police traffic division. We had several road policing activities, with both overt and covert operations, and issued 312 tickets, ranging from speeding, to not wearing seatbelts, to faulty vehicles.”
A high traffic area with many pedestrians, Brunswick Avenue in Spanish Town, St. Catherine had five collisions and six deaths. Spanish Town Road, which facilitates high volume traffic to and from downtown Kingston, registered four collisions and six deaths. Coubrie said Dyke Road, Portmore, also a high volume traffic area, had five fatalities from two crashes. The roadway which is used by those travelling from the Portmore toll to the Vineyard toll, and to access several key communities in Portmore has proven to be problematic. “Dyke Road has no soft shoulder, just a lane in either direction, so when persons are driving along that corridor they have to be careful. Their judgment and everything has to be spot on. They have to do less overtaking because once you’re faced by the oncoming vehicle and you’re not able to move, you can face serious consequences.”
Nonetheless, there are encouraging results over the time period, as rigorous policing has decreased incidents on thoroughfares including Hayes Main Road and Osbourne Store Main Road in Clarendon and the Bustamante Highway, which are known for crashes and fatalities. Additionally, motorcycle driver fatalities have significantly decreased due to collaborative intervention of road safety interest groups.
“We will continue to monitor key roadways across the island to reduce breaches of the Road Traffic Act, and persecute those who fail to comply,” said Coubrie.
Dr. Lucien Jones, Vice-Chairman of the NRSC has expressed that road crashes are not inevitable. “Road crashes can and must be prevented. We must find the will to overcome the indiscipline that is causing the loss of our family members and fellow Jamaicans,” he said. “We must pay attention to the many warning signs indicating crash prone spots across the island, erected by the Jamaica National General Insurance Company (JNGI). They are reminders to motorists to drive safely.”
Paula Fletcher, Executive Director of the NRSC concurred, adding that motorists should think on what they can do to make the nation’s roads safer for everyone. “When there is a crash it puts a strain on a family, leaves a void that will never be filled, and costs the country millions annually to deal with the results. Be patient, obey the speed limit and road signs and signals, use safety devices, do not use the cell phone while driving, and even when walking, don't drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We can and must do better to ensure our safety and the safety of others."
