Road Safety Unit to Prepare Scientific Reports on Dyke and Greenvale Roads

The Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Mining is collecting data for the preparation of scientific reports on the Dyke Road in St. Catherine, and the Greenvale Road in Manchester, where several fatal crashes have taken place recently.

The data-gathering process got under way on Friday (Aug. 12).

Director of the Unit, Canute Hare, says that when the report is completed, it will be turned over to the National Works Agency (NWA), for the necessary recommendations to be implemented to improve road safety.

Mr. Hare, who was speaking to JIS News recently, noted that 74 of the 197 crashes that have occurred since the start of the year were due to speeding.

Mr. Hare pointed out that when a motor vehicle gets out of control at high speed, deaths and serious injuries are the likely outcome. He is calling on drivers to cut their speed, particularly on wet roads.

“Speed limits are set for dry roads, so when you see it for 50 kilometres, you shouldn’t go 50 when the road is wet. It is also critical to understand that if you don’t have proper tyres, you will get yourself into trouble,” he said.

Mr. Hare is also urging motor-vehicle passengers to take responsibility for their own safety, by wearing their seat belts, and by refusing to travel with persons who drive recklessly.

“Don’t allow any driver to do this reckless driving; don’t patronise them,” he urged.

The Road Safety Unit Director also reported that the NWA has commenced improvement work on the Bog Walk Gorge, and persons will soon see several signs on the roadway, backed up with public education on safe use of the road.