MONTEGO Bay, St James — Over the next few weeks, policemen will visit schools across St James to educate students about road safety as part of their drive to decrease the number of road accidents involving children.

Since the start of the year, 40 children up to the age of 14 died in traffic accidents. Youngsters ranging in age from 15 to 19 account for an additional 25 deaths.

At the launch of road safety month in Montego Bay this week, Senior Superintendent Frederick Williams, head of the island’s traffic headquarters in Kingston, underscored the need for both motorists and pedestrians to take greater care on the road.

At the same time, the Superintendent, who alluded to the more than 300 persons who died in traffic accidents so far this year, noted that he had recommended a number of changes to the Road Safety Act to allow for stiffer penalties for those who breach the law.

“Let us bear in mind that the only way our roads can become safer, with less accidents and fatalities, is if we all as pedestrians, motorists, motor cyclists and pedal cyclists learn to respect the laws,” Williams said.

He was addressing an audience of approximately 50 students and teachers from schools across the parish.

“We must begin with basic respect for each other’s right to use the roads… This means that the pedestrian cannot just walk out into the traffic even though he or she is in the pedestrian cross walk,” he said.

Added Williams: “It also means that when we get into our cars, we put on our seatbelts not only because it is the law but because it is the safest thing to do.”

According to Williams, 1,088 of the accidents this year were caused by vehicles following too closely behind each other while 570 occurred as a result of the failure of motorists to keep near to their side of the road. In addition, he said 382 of the accidents this year resulted from improper overtaking; 360 because of swerving and 91 because pedestrians either stepped, walked or ran into the road or foot path.

“Too many lives are being lost through carelessness on our roads… A motor vehicle is a lovely thing to operate but one must bear in mind that the same vehicle can be a deadly weapon,” Williams remarked.

“It is important that we teach our children how to observe our road safety rules. Our children must grow and understand how to use the pedestrian crossing and how to respect road laws when they are in a vehicle.”