Speeding distresses NRSC
Published:Sunday | June 30, 2013 | 12:00 AM
The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is expressing renewed concern about motorists breaching speed regulations, thereby putting many Jamaicans at risk. The council is also citing speeding as a major contributor to the marked increase in fatal crashes and road fatalities, and is calling on the police to intensify its crackdown on the offenders.
Data from the NRSC shows that for the January 1 to June 26 period, fatal crashes moved from 104 in 2012 to 125 this year, while road fatalities climbed from 123 to 135 persons.
In light of this, Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chairman/convenor of the NRSC, has issued an appeal. "We are urging the members of the police force to increase their enforcement and awareness initiatives with regard to motorists who are breaking the speed limits," he said.
HARD TO STOP SPEEDING
Cautioning motorists to develop a habit of driving within the speed limit, Jones pointed out how difficult it is for a speeding vehicle to stop.
A similar word of caution has come from Paula Fletcher, executive director of the NRSC. Fletcher said studies by crash reconstruction experts show that falling off a three-storey building is equivalent to crashing at 50 miles an hour, while falling off a 12-storey building is equivalent to crashing at 100 kilometres per hour.
Fletcher added: "Excessive speed increases the risk of a crash and the severity of the injuries which result from a crash. When you lessen your speed, you reduce the impact from a crash."
Recent data cited by the Mona GeoInformatics Institute shows that of the 74,000 motor vehicles crashes reported between 2000 to 2010, speeding has been the major cause of fatal crashes in Jamaica. It also ranked as the fifth contributor to all crashes on the nation's roads.