MIND Lends Support for Road Safety

The Management Institute for National Development (MIND) is lending support to the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and the Police Traffic Division in the drive to encourage road users to pay special attention to young children on the roads.

This is part of the activities for National Road Safety Month (June), with the focus on sensitising the public about proper road use.

Research and Information Manager at MIND, Kirk Frankson, told JIS News that information on road safety should be child friendly and specific to children, to better ensure their safety on the road.

“We do not pay enough attention to children on the basis that when we look at most of the anecdotal and empirical data, children and, by extension, pedestrians are the major victims of road accidents,” he said.

Mr. Frankson along with members of the NRSC and the Police Traffic Division took the road safety message to students of the National Water Commission Basic School in Kingston on June 18.

The young students were taught basic road safety tips under the theme: ‘Road Safety for Life’.

Sub-Officer in Charge of Road Safety and All-Island Coordinator of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Road Safety Unit, Corporal Daniel Bennett, informed JIS News that there have been 167 road fatalities since the start of the year.

“We are taking an all-inclusive approach this year…to encourage all persons to use the roads properly,” he said.

Corporal Bennett is urging parents to teach children about proper use of the road.

“Safety starts at home. It is the parent who must teach children how to use the road. Do not leave it to the police to do everything… we are asking everybody to play their part,” he urged.

The NRSC is reminding road users to stop, look, listen, to let the other car pass and to allow pedestrians to cross.

Additionally, motorists are reminded to pay special attention to young children on the roads as their senses are not fully developed and they do not fully understand the traffic environment and are not able to readily detect danger.