Latest Get the Facts

Education
eBooks: Supporting Education in the Digital Age
The Government of Jamaica (GOJ), through the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY), is providing electronic versions of printed textbooks that can be retrieved on various digital devices by secondary-level students. Approximately $158 million has been spent on eBooks this...
More Get the Facts
According to the Ministry of Education and Youth (MoEY), approximately 35,000 children are born in Jamaica each year, with just about half of them falling within the three-month to three-year age range. With this in mind, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is emphasising the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child's life in shaping their cognitive development. To...
Surviving the Sizzling Summer
The ever-rising temperatures worldwide are a result of global warming – a component of climate change. Jamaica is not spared from the impact of climate change. According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Jamaica is prone to experience more extreme weather conditions, such as increasing temperatures, with the hottest period being mid-July to mid-August. During the summer months, the Ministry...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Licensing of Drivers Part 2
Regulation 158 of the new Road Traffic Act outlines the diseases and disabilities which will cause a person to be ineligible for the granting of a driver’s licence. These include: Epilepsy Insanity Aneurysm Angina pectoris Defective vision to a degree corresponding to a standard of vision of less than 6/12 with glasses Disease of the nervous system giving rise to...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Windscreen and Window Tints
Regulation 61 of the new Road Traffic Act, states that a motor vehicle which is being operated on the road shall be built and maintained to allow the driver a full and clear view of the roadway and the traffic ahead, to the right and to the left of the vehicle. Regulation 62 sets out that a motor vehicle having...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Safety Measures for Motor/Pedal Cyclists and Pillions
In alignment with the Road Traffic Regulations, 2022, protective measures have been put in place to safeguard motor cycle drivers, pedal cyclists and pillions. Motor Cycle Drivers/Pillions A person driving a motor cycle or who is a pillion on such motor cycle: Shall wear a protective helmet that is the correct size for the person and that has been designed...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Lamp Requirements on Vehicles
All lamps that are fitted to the motor vehicle, pursuant to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2022: Must be in good working condition Must be capable of being lit and properly secured Must be kept lit during the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light...
Road Accidents – Next Steps
In the event of an accident, the Road Safety Unit (RSU) of the Ministry of Transport and Mining, has provided a set of instructions for motorists to follow. Process The first action is to stop at the scene, take photos or videos of any tyre marks on the road, positions of the vehicles, and retrieve the following information: Full name...
GOJ Support for Personal Safety
The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) remains committed to reducing crime and protecting its citizens. Every Jamaican can employ a greater level of responsibility for their personal safety with the help of several GOJ initiatives. Stay Alert App This mobile application (app) was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of National Security (MNS) to allow the public to contact the police....
Family Matters – Paternity & Adoption Leave
Effective January 1, 2023, biological fathers of newborns, and newly adoptive parents, are now entitled to 20 working days’ paternity and adoption leave with pay. Paternity Leave Paid leave can only be accessed on three occasions within each government organisation Full-time male employees, 18 years or older with at least 12 months of continuous service whether contracted or in a...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Motor Vehicle Noise Limits
Regulation 247 of the new Road Traffic Act stipulates that a person shall not drive a motor vehicle if the vehicle causes a sound that exceeds the noise limit. Vehicle Noise Limit Motorcycle 85 dBA Motorcar 85 dBA Small Commercial Motor Vehicle 90 dBA Large Commercial Motor Vehicle 95 dBA The noise limit for stationary vehicles is the same...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Emergency Warning Signs
Regulation 262 (2) of the new Road Traffic Act, states that where a motor vehicle is for any reason stationary on a roadway or on the shoulder of a road, the driver should display at least two emergency warning signs: The signs shall be placed not less than 45 metres from the motor vehicle along the roadway, on the side...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Licensing of Drivers Part 1
According to regulations 155 to 167 of the new Road Traffic Act an application for a learner’s permit or driver’s licence shall be made to the Authority. Learner’s Permit To apply for a learner’s permit, the applicant must submit: A medical certificate Three identical photographs taken less than six months before the time of application and certified by a Justice...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Traffic Signs
According to the Road Traffic Regulations, 2022, the main purposes of traffic signs are to regulate traffic, warn users of potential danger and to inform persons of direction, distance, various destinations and give general advice on use of the road (regulation 200 [1]). Types of Traffic Signs Road Signs – usually on free-standing supports, having text or graphics inscribed Road...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Driving Schools and Instructors Part 2
The Road Traffic Act – Driving Schools and Instructors Part 2 Under the new Road Traffic Act, driving schools and instructors are expected to satisfy regulatory and operational requirements before providing services to the public. Licensing of Driving Schools All driving schools must: Prove that either the owner, director or partner of the driving school is a certified driving instructor...
The Road Traffic Regulations – Replacing Lost/Damaged Registration Plates/Licence Certificates/Licence Decals
The process to replace lost or damaged licence plates, licence certificates, decals or certificates of titles is described in regulations 19 (1,2) and 20 (1-4) of the new Road Traffic Act. Where any or all of the registration plates that are in use on a motor vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the original plates) or a certificate of title has...