Dear Editor,

I applaud the Government on securing a $400-million loan from China that will be used to embark on a massive road rehabilitation programme islandwide.

Encouragingly, over 18,000 new jobs per year over the next five years are estimated to be created. Given our challenging economic situation, the creation of such jobs should go a long way in improving the lives of many Jamaicans.

Although proceeds from the fuel tax that came on stream last year were slated to repair and maintain our road network, I agree with Transport and Works Minister Michael Henry that it is better to use the money from the Chinese Government to begin and complete the aggressive road rehabilitation programme now and not later, or on a phased basis.

It is to be noted that the petrol tax will not be diverted elsewhere or used otherwise, as Opposition Spokesman on Transport Robert Pickersgill would seemingly want to suggest. The fuel tax will be used to pay back the Chinese loan, which will see the tax still being used for its intended purpose, though in a less direct way.

As the Government embarks on this laudable and most needed programme, I would like to impress upon Minister Henry the importance of ensuring that proper road signs and markings are erected along our roads to guide and protect all our road users. These signs must be prominently displayed and should be illuminated as necessary, especially to aid road users at night.

Too many of our roads, especially in the rural areas, have no posted speed limit signs and where there are some, they are largely faded.

It should not be the responsibility of the motorist to determine whether a road is in a 50 km or 80 km zone, or whether it is in a hospital or school zone. Rather, it is the responsibility of the state to so advise us by ensuring that adequate and appropriate signs are posted.

Importantly, school zone signs must be appropriately erected, with the appropriate speed limit posted in those zones. Flashing lights near a school during the start and end of the school day should be considered to further warn motorists and provide greater protection to our children.

I have found myself too many times driving at a higher speed than should be done in a school zone, only because I did not realise a school was located in said area because of lack of signs to warn me.

As the National Road Safety Council continues its ambitious campaign to reduce road fatalities, the erection of adequate road signs should be seen as a helpful aid to save more lives.

Kevin KO Sangster

sangstek@msn.com