Minister of transport and works Robert Pickersgill (left) and managing director of TransJamaican Highway Trevor Jackson congratulate Erica Harris Maddix for being the driver of the five-millionth standard vehicle - denoted as a class one (under 1.7 metres) - to cross the Vineyard Toll Plaza on Highway 2000, yesterday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

THE engineering of Highway 2000 has contributed to the reduction of accidents on the corridors between Clarendon and St Catherine into Kingston, says Minister of Transport and Works Robert Pickersgill. But yesterday, Pickersgill warned again that delapidated vehicles travelling at high speed could be lethal.

"Motorists, please get smart about vehicle safety. If you want to travel at the maximum speed of 110 kilometres, vehicles must be in tip-top condition," said the minister.

"Research shows that one-third of all accidents on the highway are attributed to bad or over-inflated tyres. Remember, it's the tyres that separate you from the road."

Pickersgill gave his safety awareness speech at a special ceremony organised by toll operators Jamaica Infrastructure Operator (JIO) to recognise the five-millionth standard vehicle - denoted as a class one vehicle under 1.7 metres - to cross the Vineyard Toll Plaza in St Catherine.

The driver of the five-millionth class one vehicle turned out to be Erica Harris Maddix, who was travelling with her brother, Leon Harris, to Bodles, St Catherine, when she was pulled over.

Maddix got $5,000 in T-tag credit from JIO; $5,000 of gas vouchers from Total; $5,000 auto detailing from Detail King; $5,000 bill payment credit from Paymaster; five new tyres from Tropical Battery and a free auto inspection by ASE Certified.

Pickersgill gave no specific figures for highway deaths, but the road accident statistics show that fatalities amounted to 399 in 2003, and 351 in 2004.

For one week, however, December 20 - 27 last year, there were 18 deaths in three accidents, two of which involved taxis.

For Pickersgill, the figures point to an unacceptable level of lawlessness among road users.

He warned that his ministry was moving to "end the recklessness" by increasing the fines under the Road Traffic Act. The amendments to the law are being debated in Parliament.

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