Jamaica has embarked on a ‘Below 240’ campaign, which
is aimed at keeping the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents below
the 240 mark for 2013. This campaign was revised from the Below 300
target, which was successfully achieved at the end of 2012, for the
first time since its 2008 launch. But, with a number of accidents
taking place in the island in recent weeks, this target could be missed.
In that vein, the importance of road safety cannot be overstated.
The most recent tragedy occurred Easter Monday, April 1, along the Falmouth bypass (near Martha Brae) in Trelawny, and saw a family of four being victims in what was a four-vehicle collision.
Police reports to the Western Mirror indicate that the driver of a Nissan motorcar, who himself was a victim, was overtaking a line of traffic and crashed into a Toyota Fortuner SUV. His common-law-wife, and their two young daughters also perished. Fortunately, the other passengers escaped unhurt. We extend our most sincere condolences to the grief-stricken relatives.
Sadly, many Jamaican drivers continue to take dangerous risks on the roads, placing their lives, as well as those of others in danger. Speeding, in most cases, is at the heart of the many accidents on Jamaica’s roads. Far too many Jamaicans do not see road safety, as something that they ought to practice. This is a dangerous trend which must change.
In 1999, Jamaica passed a law which requires drivers and passengers to wear seat-belts. To Jamaica’s detriment, it is not being enforced as vigorously as it ought to be. There is enough evidence to confirm, that wearing seat-belts do save lives. Many motorists, particularly public passenger vehicle operators, have been seen overtaking around corners. These factors contribute to lives being lost on the Jamaican road.
Road safety is everybody’s business. Let’s make the below 240 target a reality, while making sure that much lower figures are attained in the future.
Source: http://www.westernmirror.com/index.php/permalink/6041.html
The most recent tragedy occurred Easter Monday, April 1, along the Falmouth bypass (near Martha Brae) in Trelawny, and saw a family of four being victims in what was a four-vehicle collision.
Police reports to the Western Mirror indicate that the driver of a Nissan motorcar, who himself was a victim, was overtaking a line of traffic and crashed into a Toyota Fortuner SUV. His common-law-wife, and their two young daughters also perished. Fortunately, the other passengers escaped unhurt. We extend our most sincere condolences to the grief-stricken relatives.
Sadly, many Jamaican drivers continue to take dangerous risks on the roads, placing their lives, as well as those of others in danger. Speeding, in most cases, is at the heart of the many accidents on Jamaica’s roads. Far too many Jamaicans do not see road safety, as something that they ought to practice. This is a dangerous trend which must change.
In 1999, Jamaica passed a law which requires drivers and passengers to wear seat-belts. To Jamaica’s detriment, it is not being enforced as vigorously as it ought to be. There is enough evidence to confirm, that wearing seat-belts do save lives. Many motorists, particularly public passenger vehicle operators, have been seen overtaking around corners. These factors contribute to lives being lost on the Jamaican road.
Road safety is everybody’s business. Let’s make the below 240 target a reality, while making sure that much lower figures are attained in the future.
Source: http://www.westernmirror.com/index.php/permalink/6041.html