Fatal crashes down by 10 per cent
KINGSTON, Jamaica – There has been a 10 per cent decrease in the number of fatal crashes in comparison to the corresponding period last year.
According to figures released by the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Mining, 187 fatal crashes occurred last year in comparison to 168 this year.
In the meantime, the ministry is reporting a three per cent drop in fatalities. Last year, there were 201 fatalities in comparison to 195 so far this year.
Director of Public Relations and Communication in the ministry Vando Palmer said the decrease is a result of the sustained activities of Operation Zero Tolerance, which begun on May 7.
He said since then the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), has removed over 1,715 pairs of license plates from defective vehicles.
According to Palmer, before Operation Zero Tolerance the fatality rate was running ahead of last year by over 20 deaths.
He added that the sustained presence of the police and the ITA has resulted in a significant change in the behaviour of motorists in the traffic environment and hence the fall in the figures.
“Whenever, license plates are removed, a report is sent to the Tax Administration of Jamaica, which then blocks the vehicle from being issued new plates unless the defect is corrected and a C2 certificate issued,” Palmer explained.
Operation Zero Tolerance is slated to run for three months in the first instance but it could continue beyond this given its current success rate.
