Vaz urges farmers to secure livestock following fatal crash involving stray cow

Minister of Transport Daryl Vaz has joined renewed calls for farmers to take the necessary precautions to secure their livestock amid a recent fatal collision involving a stray cow in Clarendon that claimed the life of a man.

The incident happened on Tuesday in New Bowens.

Vaz said the tragic multi-vehicle accident highlights the significant dangers posed by unsecured animals on the nation's roadways.

He expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, 21-year-old Valentine Bailey.

"This incident is a stark reminder of the potentially fatal consequences when animals are left unsecured near roadways,” said Vaz.

“We must take collective responsibility to ensure that our roads are safe for all users. It is critical that farmers across Jamaica take the necessary steps to properly secure their livestock, thereby reducing the risk of accidents that endanger human lives," he added.

While acknowledging that while road safety is a shared responsibility among drivers, pedestrians, and various stakeholders, Vaz said farmers have a pivotal role to play in ensuring the safety of the nation's highways and byways.

He reiterated that allowing livestock to roam unsupervised or unsecured poses serious hazards to motorists and pedestrians alike, as demonstrated by the recent accident.

The Minister urged farmers to explore available resources and work with local authorities to ensure that their animals are secured, further noting that the Government will continue to invest in and promote the use of technology in agriculture to prevent such tragic incidents from reoccurring.

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