Road safety council against revision of speed limits

Road Safety Council against revision of speed limits

The National Road Safety Council says it is against a call for an increase in Jamaica's speed limits at this time. 

Last week, Opposition Senator, Arthur Williams, argued that the time has come to review Jamaica's speed limits which have been in place since 1938.

According to him, vehicles have improved and the laws should be changed to match the latest developments.

However, Vice-president of the road safety council, Dr Lucien Jones, says he cannot support that move especially with the high number of road-related deaths in recent times. 

He argues that any revision of the speed limits upwards cannot be applied generally. 

Senator Williams argued that the current limits of 50 kilometres per hour and 80 kilometres per hour are equivalent to the 30 miles per hour and 50 miles per hour limits set almost 80 years ago.

He said it is a myth to say that speeding is the cause of most road traffic crashes.

Last year, the Jamaica recorded 379 deaths as a result of traffic crashes. 

The Senate is now debating a new Road Traffic Act.