Expo supports UN Decade of Action

This year's Jamaica Driver and Traffic Safety Expo will centre on initiatives aimed at reducing deaths on Jamaican roads by 50 per cent by 2020. This is in keeping with the recent launch of the United Nations Decade of Action for Global Road Safety.

The expo, scheduled for Saturday, June 18, will take place on the lawns of the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew.

Earl Jarrett, chairman of the Jamaica Automobile Association and patron of the expo, said the event is geared towards addressing concerns about the increase in motor-vehicle collisions locally and to assist motorists and pedestrians to be more conscious about their safety on the roadways.

"Motor-vehicle collisions have increased by four per cent, resulting in 131 fatalities as of June 1, 2011 when compared with about 125 deaths last year at this time," said Jarrett, who is also a member of the Mobility Council of the Federation Internationale de l' Automobile (FIA), which governs motor clubs and motor sports.

"To reduce this carnage on the roads, we must sustain our education and advocacy programmes, and use all the channels available to reach road users."

He said the declaration of the UN Decade of Action - which was proclaimed in Jamaica last month by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen - is an important milestone that will put Jamaica on target to achieving First World road-safety status by 2030. Jarrett also said it was important to achieve the overall targets of the Millennium Development Goals.

"Road crashes is the second-leading cause of death in Jamaica, resulting in the passing of more than 4,000 people over the past 10 years. And, if one paused to reflect, one would realise that those 4,000 persons could have contributed to the economic development and growth that our nation is now seeking," Jarrett stated.

Targeting pedestrians

Alphonso Grennell, expo organiser, added that the majority of those killed on the island's roadways were young people, and children.

"For instance, over the past year we have lost hundreds of people, aged between 18 and 45, who represent the most energetic and vibrant segment of our population," he bemoaned. Grennell, who is also managing director of Grennell's Driving School in Mona, St Andrew, pointed out that this was one reason for targeting pedestrians at the expo.

"Pedestrians still make up 39 per cent of the road users killed each year. Therefore, we will include a comprehensive presentation targeted to that segment. The presentation will be facilitated by Eric Kipps, director, Jaric Environment Safety and Health Services Limited, which is based in Trinidad and Tobago."

In addition, there will be sessions on defensive driving and other issues targeted at motorists.

"We will also have frank discussions on other road safety issues to improve the understanding of all road users about critical matters that can help us to win the fight against road fatalities," Grennell maintained.