NRSC Urges Jamaicans to Exercise Extra Road Safety Caution as Christmas Approaches
The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is calling on Jamaicans to exercise added caution on the nation’s roads heading into the Christmas season.
There have been 391 road fatalities from 355 fatal crashes since the start of the year, and as the NRSC has indicated, typically, as the festive season approaches, there tends to be an increase in both.
Over the last decade, road fatalities have ranged from 77 in 2013 for the period October to December, to a high of 131 in 2021 and 2022.
While the overall fatalities represent a 12% decline, with fatal collisions representing an 8% reduction when compared to the corresponding period last year, Dr. Lucien Jones, Vice-Chairman of the NRSC noted that now is the time to start actively pushing for more vigilance in navigating the roads.
“We are getting up to the time of the year when everyone is looking forward to celebrating and ending the year on a high note, but sadly, this is also a time when we see an uptick in more Jamaicans losing their lives or being injured in road crashes,” said Dr. Jones.
“A week ago, we experienced flooding in several communities and that has resulted in some amount of road surface damage. Now is the time for families to huddle and take this road safety conversation to a new level with each other,” Dr. Jones added.
On Sunday, November 19, Jamaica joined in the global annual commemoration of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR), under the theme – Justice, with the slogan “Remember. Support. Act.” The theme spotlighted traffic law enforcement and thorough investigation and the NRSC executives outlined that they are anticipating the implementation of electronic enforcement in the traffic ticketing system across Jamaica.
At the NRSC Church service this past Sunday at the Transformed Life Church on Hagley Park Road, the NRSC reinforced the message for road users to be vigilant and considerate.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 globally
The NRSC is drawing attention to individuals as road fatalities are not partial. Deaths are recorded across a range of ages every year. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 globally, and in Jamaica, 134 people in that category have lost their lives since the start of the year.
Paula Fletcher, the Executive Director of the NRSC pointed out that despite road crashes and fatalities trending down for this year, it is a time to be extra vigilant. During the period July to September, 92 lives were lost to road crashes with motorcyclists accounting for the highest, followed by pedestrians and private motor vehicle drivers. “It’s a sobering reality that many overlook at this time of the year.
But we do so to our detriment. For those who are going to parties during the festive season, if you know you’re going to drink, get a designated driver, someone who is responsible enough to get you home safely,” said Fletcher.
“Talk about how you should be navigating the roads as pedestrians, how you safely drive your motorcycle, obey the speed limits, and wear appropriate clothing and safety gear like long pants and long-sleeved shirts.
It has become the norm for some motorcyclists to wear shorts and flip-flops but it is unsafe because you expose yourself to greater harm and danger if there is a crash. Talk about road safety for those who are riding a bicycle, and those who are driving. Let us not take anything for granted.”
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