Government committed to reduction in road crashes

STATE MINISTER in the Ministry of National Security Senator Pearnel Charles Jr says the Government is committed to implementing the “necessary measures” to ensure sustainable reduction in road crashes.

Addressing a road-safety luncheon in honour of the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, who visited on August 9, Senator Charles commended the various partners in the campaign to end motor-vehicle crashes and emphasised that there was no option but to remain focused to achieve positive results.

“With all of us focused with shared interests and goals, we will have to be successful. There is no choice and no alternative,” he told the gathering at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in New Kingston.

Meanwhile, the UN envoy told the gathering that road crashes around the world were a problem, but he said there was a prescription.

“It surrounds education, law enforcement, road infrastructure and vehicles,” Todt said.

“If you put all your strengths together to change this trend, I am sure that you will achieve the results,” he told the audience.

PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY

For his part, Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams said in addition to the work being done by the Traffic and Highway Division, to have motorists obey traffic rules, all Jamaicans need to play their part to promote road safety.

“We have to raise public awareness to ensure that our motoring public doesn’t take to the roads to kill themselves,” he said.

Todt’s one-day visit included meetings with local road-safety stakeholders and persons involved in motor sport.

Also attending the luncheon were senior traffic police personnel, and representatives from the National Road Safety Council and motor-racing clubs.