Road Safety Campaign Targets Pedestrian Safety

The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport has launched a national road safety campaign to address the growing number of pedestrian fatalities in Jamaica over the last five years.

Dubbed ‘Look Out Before You Step Out, A Pedestrian’s Pledge’, the campaign aims to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and encourage responsible behaviour on the roads.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank recently, Assistant Attorney General in the Ministry, Amanda Bethune, said pedestrian safety has become an urgent issue, with pedestrians accounting for a significant portion of road fatalities.

“Jamaica has seen alarming pedestrian fatality rates, and we believe it’s critical to reverse this trend. This is not just a transport issue; it’s a national development concern. Road crashes put immense strain on our health system, tear families apart, and result in economic losses,” she said.

In 2024, Jamaica recorded 365 road fatalities, with pedestrians making up a large portion of these numbers, and as of February 12, 2025, 12 pedestrians have lost their lives.

Ms. Bethune said the Ministry’s campaign will focus on the most at-risk groups, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.

She noted that protecting vulnerable pedestrians is a priority, and the campaign is part of a broader government effort to promote responsible road use and public safety.

Ms. Bethune said the Ministry will continue to collaborate with communities across Jamaica to address this pressing issue and reduce pedestrian fatalities.

Over the five-year period (2020-2024), a total of 436 pedestrians have died in road traffic accidents.

The highest number of fatalities occurred in 2022, with 108 pedestrian deaths.

Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and motorcyclists, accounted for 61 per cent of all fatalities during this period.