Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway pitch dark at night

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I have had reasons to drive on the Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway (popularly known as the Rockfort main road) leading up to and beyond the Caribbean Cement Company during nights over the past two months, and on numerous occasions prior to that. It struck me that this roadway is always dark or otherwise very poorly lit. I suppose that since this road is a dual carriageway, the potential for vehicular collisions is significantly less than had it been otherwise.

Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway is the main access road to and from the Norman Manley International Airport, and to its surrounding communities. In this regard, I think it is more than significant that this roadway be properly lit. It is rather fortunate that there are not more vehicular collisions there, or perhaps the reports have not been carried as often as they have occurred.

Jamaica’s Vision 2030 aim is to transform Jamaica into ‘a place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business by 2030. This highlights our intention to create a Jamaican space – including roadways, safe. With less than five years to 2030 aggressive efforts towards road safety is needed if Jamaica is to indeed become a place of choice to live.

The absence of street lighting along our road corridors does not assist us in meeting our Vision 2030 objective. It should not be that when we have the need to travel to or return from the airport, that we must brace ourselves to face treacherously dark accessways to our destinations. The Government must ensure that suitable lighting is put in place along all roadways, including the Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway.

DAVID ALLEN