JCF Reports Drop In Road Fatalities

KINGSTON, Aug. 4 (JIS): 

The Jamaica Constabulary Force is reporting a decrease in the number of road fatalities across the island. 

Commissioner of Police, Dr. Kevin Blake explained that in March 2024, there was an increase in road fatalities, where the country recorded 38 deaths, which represented a 27 per cent increase, compared to March 2023. 

He said this demanded an immediate and robust response from the JCF, and this included a ramping up of public education, while simultaneously increasing enforcement on the roads. 

“What we saw from this was an increase in the number of patrols that we executed, the establishment of more checkpoints and greater focus on high-risk behaviours such as speeding and drunk driving,” Dr. Blake said. 

The Commissioner was speaking at a handover ceremony for 40 vehicles valued at over $313 million, held on July 31 at the Office of the Commissioner in St. Andrew. 

 Dr. Blake stated that the strategies resulted in a five per cent decrease in road fatalities in April, compared to last year. 

“Thanks to the corporation of the motoring public, taking heed to the warnings and changing behaviour, the reductions continued in May 2024, where we recorded a three percent reduction in road fatalities over May 2023,” he said. 

“As we continue to work with the public…the results continue to get even more impressive as June saw a 33 per cent reduction from June last year, and as at July 23, we have recorded only nine fatalities. And that was getting us in line to having the very lowest month in recent history in road fatalities and this was compared to a monthly average over the last two years of 34 road fatalities,” he added 

Dr. Blake noted that this significant decrease underscores the success of the JCF’s continuous and targeted efforts, including the enhanced road traffic regulations, and public education campaign. 

Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner said the addition of the 40 motor vehicles “is an investment in the national security toolkit that we do not take lightly, and we recognise the responsibility to safety and strategically use these assets to maintain law and order.”