What can we do to reduce the number of accidents on the nation’s roads?

What can we do to reduce the number of accidents on the nation's roads?

Senior Superintendent Calvin Allen, head, Police Traffic Division:

"I'm thinking that a critical aspect will be publicity. I would appreciate if when I pick up The Gleaner in the mornings, I will be able to see a road-safety tip on the front page. Getting the message out is important. We can't ignore the basics, however: STOP (meaning) stop, think, observe, proceed.

Dr Elizabeth Ward, chairperson of the Violence Prevention Alliance:

"The main thing that has to be done is to look at the engineering issues. It's not only engineering on the roads, but engineering within our pre-hospital services."

Victor Anderson, coordinator for the Below 240 Programme at the National Road Safety Council:

"It will take enforcement. It will take additional resources and more judges being assigned to deal with traffic matters. We cannot stress education enough. The people have to be sensitised.

Joan Wynter, acting director of policy at the Ministry of Transport:

"I think we need to use moral suasion. I'm thinking of the offences that we have included in the new road traffic bill, and unless we change persons' attitude, especially towards money, it will not fulfil its purpose."

Dr Lucien Jones, chairman of the National Road Safety Council:

"There is need for political will. There is no silver bullet, but once there is collaboration, we can produce better results, and most importantly, enforcement."

Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie, director of emergency medical services, Ministry of Health:

"I think public education is where we need to go. We should probably institute traffic schools so that persons who commit offences have to go through that system before they are allowed to go back on the road.