Fifth Road Safety Expo on June 15

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

The road safety message was emphasised at the press launch of the 2013 Jamaica Driver and Road Safety Expo and Road Safety 5K at the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Maxfield Avenue, St Andrew, last Wednesday.

Alphonso Grennell, chairman of the expo and 5K, and managing director of Grennell's Driving School, announced that the fifth Jamaica Driver and Road Safety Expo will be on June 15 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, St Andrew. It starts at 10 a.m.

The second staging of the Road Safety 5K will be on Saturday, November 30.

"We look forward to the fifth staging of this event with excitement and a sense of accomplishment. We are persuaded that the Jamaica Driver and Road Safety Expo has contributed to the achievement of the national drive of below 300 road fatalities for 2012. We implore all Jamaicans from all walks of life to join hands and hearts together in supporting these two important events for road safety," Grennell said.

MANY BENEFITS

He also argued that if all road users play their part in ensuring safety, it will contribute to environmental safety and will result in economic growth. "If we make our roadways areas of order, courtesy, discipline and adherence to rules, we not only contribute to the campaign to reduce road crashes and fatalities, but we also contribute to the overarching goal of creating an environment conducive to the investment and economic growth we so desperately require if we are to produce and earn our way out of our present situation," Grennell said.

Dr Morais Guy, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, outlined the Government's road safety plans for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

"The Road Safety Unit is currently carrying out a comprehensive analysis of all fatal road crashes for 2012 in an effort to inform policy which will result in improved safety on the nation's roads. This request was made earlier this year and the results of this analysis will be made available in short order," Guy said.

PLANS FOR DISABLED

The physically challenged will not be left out. Guy said the ministry, "through the National Road Safety Unit, is looking at putting in proper road infrastructure to ensure the safety of disabled persons. The measure is in keeping with the ministry's commitment to provide safe and reliable services for all road users".

Changes to the Road Traffic Act are also imminent. "The Road Traffic Act and Regulations of 1938 is in the final stages of a comprehensive revision and a new act will be passed during this parliamentary year. Efforts are being made to repeal and replace this legislation with a new bill that will adequately address the current challenges in the transport sector. The amended act will ensure that road-safety issues are addressed according to 21st-century requirements," the minister emphasised.

Broadcaster Dervan Malcolm chaired the launch. Among those who attended were evangelist Paul Edwards of the Mona Church Of Christ, Ian McDonnell, and Milton Samuda, chairman of JAMPRO. Students of the Mona Heights Primary School performed at the function.