Jamaica to Mark Road Safety Week April 23 to 29

Jamaica will join the rest of the world in observing Road Safety Week from April 23 to April 29 under the theme: ‘Road safety is No Accident’.
The first annual observance by the United Nations, the week is expected to increase awareness about the impact of road injuries, particularly among young road users; promote greater use of safety devises, reduce drunk driving; and encourage compliance in the construction of safe roads.
At the local launch held today (April 18) at the Hilton Kingston hotel, Executive Director of the National Road Safety Council, Paula Fletcher explained that Road Safety Week is being observed globally because of the growing concern for the heavy socio-economic impact of road traffic injuries, which serve to counter sustainable development.
She noted that activities locally will be undertaken by a Global Road Safety Committee, and will include the signing of a ‘Make Road Safe Petition’; a church service at the Kencot Seventh Day Adventist Church on April 21 and a number of public education meeting will also be conducted. There will also be a Global Road Safety Expo at Emancipation Park in Kingston on May 3.
Meanwhile, Orthopedic Surgeon at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, Dr. Dayanand Sawh, cited a 2005 study conducted by the Ministry of Health, which indicate that there are approximately 13,000 road injuries a year, which average about 35 per day.
To prevent road fatalities especially among children, Dr. Sawh noted that parents should teach their children how to understand and observe road traffic signs.
He also urged adults to look out for young children on the roads. “Studies in Europe have shown that children under eight years cannot be reliably taught road safety, they cannot gauge distance, they cannot gauge speed, and they cannot gauge relative risk. Therefore, it is up to us adults and the older members of the community to look out for them,” he informed.
He also called on motorists to play their role in reducing road fatalities by observing the road codes and wearing seat belts at all time.