Commish: JCF to ramp up effort to rein in road crashes
Published:Wednesday | April 10, 2024 | 12:09 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has observed a concerning trend in road fatalities since 2024, prompting the police to intensify their strategic response.
Blake was speaking on Tuesday at his inaugural and the JCF’s first quarterly virtual press briefing for 2024, after taking over the reins of the JCF last month.
“In 2023, we saw a 13 per cent reduction in road fatalities and a 10 per cent decline in fatal crashes, compared to the previous year, thanks to the collective efforts of our dedicated officers and the public’s increasing awareness,” Blake said, noting that males represent a staggering 87 per cent of fatalities.
Vulnerable road users including pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and pillions accounted for 59 per cent of the fatalities.
“This statistic aligns the critical need for targeted interventions to protect our most at-risk populations. As of April 4, we have documented 112 fatalities on our roads, indicating a five per cent decline compared to the similar period last year,” Blake said.
He outlined that while the decrease is encouraging, the recent surge in fatal road crashes in the past month has raised significant concerns.
“This disturbing trend underscores the urgent need for the JCF to adapt and enhance our strategies to prevent further loss of life. In response, the JCF is committed to addressing ... [traffic] violations as a core component of our strategic response,” Blake said.
The commissioner said that the enforcement of traffic laws is about saving lives and not just about issuing tickets.
“Our objective is to create a safer environment for all road users by vigorously targeting behaviours that contribute to road accidents. These include speeding, impaired driving, failing to use seatbelts and helmets, and other reckless practices that endanger lives,” Blake said of the multifaceted approach to come on stream.
He told journalists that public education campaigns will roll out on various platforms to foster a culture of road safety.
The Road Safety Unit said that as at April 9, some 118 lives were lost to road crashes this year, resulting from 100 fatal collisions.
Yesterday evening, several persons had to receive emergency medical care after a public passenger minibus collided with a private motor car along the heavily used Passagefort Drive in Portmore, St Catherine.
This was the latest in a series of major accidents, some fatal, since the start of April.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Blake said the creation of the Beat Patrol Police Division (BOPD) reflects the JCF’s adaptive approach in addressing the evolving safety and security needs of the nation.
“In our ongoing quest to enhance public safety and fortify the bond between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the communities were serve, we made an important development in our policing strategy for 2024,” he said.
Blake said the BOPD embodies the JCF’s commitment to proactive community policing.
“It is strategically designed to ensure a visible proactive police presence across key areas of the island, particularly our urban centres. Our aim is to deter criminal activities through high visibility and reassurance while ensuring effective traffic management for the smooth flow of vehicles and pedestrians alike,” Blake said.
“While it has begun in the Kingston Metropolitan Region, we expect to expand this division to urban centres across the country in short order,” he added.
The commissioner also touched on the reduction in serious crimes, adding that greater focus will be placed on removing illegal guns from the streets.
The police are reporting a seven per cent increase in gun seizures and 41 per cent increase in ammunition seizures.