JAMALCO rolled out another aspect of its Road Safety Programme on Tuesday with the sponsorship of school crossing wardens at seven schools in its operating areas. Under this programme, wardens have been placed at Annunciation Basic School along the Hayes Main Road as well as Mitchell Town, York Town, Brixton Hill primary schools and Mocho Primary and Infant school in Clarendon, as well as the Campbell’s Castle All-Age and Prattville Primary Schools in South Manchester.

The road safety programme is one of several initiatives organised by Jamalco to help reduce road fatalities. Other initiatives include training in defensive driving for taxi operators, the soon to be erected of road safety signs along the Hayes Main Road and the ongoing sensitisation of children at several schools about how to use the road safely.

In preparation for the start of programme, corporate services manager Leo Lambert, along with the corporate services team held several meetings and consultations with critical stakeholders including the Road Traffic Department of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, principals of participating schools and leaders of all community councils to discuss the details of the programme.

Principal of the Annunciation Basic School Doreen Brown noted that at least two children have been hit down along the busy Hayes Main Road and “the crossing wardens will help greatly to reduce the risk to our children”.

Principal of the Mocho Primary and Infant School Louise Clarke agrees, adding that she was glad for Jamalco’s sponsorship as part of the school’s plan for the 2009/10 academic year was the erection of schools signs and a pedestrian crossing.

The wardens who have received training from the Police Road Safety Unit will be rotated fortnightly and are required to sign a code of conduct before they start to work. They are being supervised by the principals of the schools to which they are assigned.

Lambert explained that the rotation of wardens will help create jobs “while at the same time help to keep our children safe while crossing the roadways”.

The wardens have been provided with crossing stop signs, white overcoats, whistles and caps.