NRSC to Discuss Campaign to Reduce Road Crashes

The National Road Safety Council’s (NRSC) public education campaign as well as motor vehicle accident statistics for 2015, are expected to be the top agenda items at the Council’s meeting at Jamaica House on Thursday, June 4.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, who Chairs the NRSC, will preside over the meeting, scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.

Police statistics show that 150 persons have perished on the nation’s roads since the start of the year, nine more than the corresponding period in 2014.

The statistics also indicate that over 330 road fatalities were recorded for 2014, which is 23 more than the previous year.

This scenario remains a worrying concern for the Prime Minister.

“Road safety is everybody’s business …(and) we all have to get involved in getting the message out. We have to reduce the number of injuries and deaths as a result of crashes on our roads. Road safety is a matter that is very close to my heart and one that continues to have the focused attention of my administration,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

She was addressing the launch of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association’s (JGRA) 2015 Road Safety Month Campaign in Angels, St Catherine on Wednesday (June 3).

The Prime Minister commended the JGRA on the campaign, which is being undertaken in June under the theme: ‘Road Safety for Life’.

“The JGRA is an active member of the Road Safety Council. Your support…continues to add tremendous value in the work to improve road safety. Thank you for your dedication,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

Other speakers at the launch included: Transport, Works, and Housing Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies; Science, Technology, Energy, and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell; Commanding Officer for the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Traffic and Highway Patrol Division, Senior Superintendent Calvin Allen, who represented Police Commissioner, Dr. Carl Williams; and JGRA President, Leonard Green.