AN event to test the speed of ordinary Jamaicans, the Red Bull Speed Trap, heads to St Elizabeth and Westmoreland this week.

Using an innovate device called the Smart Speed Lite, the Red Bull Speed Trap measures people’s top speed dashing through a speed zone set up to capture and record the runner.

“This device will give the top speed of the runs as a complete solution for measuring and analysing velocity in very precise moments while being true to its name: smart, speed sensitive, lightweight and compact,” according to senior vice-president of Fusion Sports, Tanya Porter.

Making use of isolated photo cells with a smart scan system, the Red Bull Speed Trap is placed at every five metres of the speed zone, through which persons will run to engage the system.

A computer will detail their speed information, collecting data on their every moment.

“Technology experts have conducted their own researches to determine the functional benefits of this technology and it has been proven to be the world’s most accurate and reliable speed measurement system,” claims Porter.

A wireless device easy to transport and set up, the Smart Speed Lite is ideal for the Red Bull Trap.

“Its portability is one of the main reasons why Smart Speed Lite has been selected for the Red Bull Speed Trap,” said Porter, “and the schedule practically takes us to every nook and cranny of the island.”

After its first stop at Bird Texaaco in Mandeville last week, the Red Bull Speed Trap will head to Pedro Cross, St Elizabeth on Monday; Whitehouse Fishing Village, Westmorland Tuesday; Progressive Supermarket, Savanna la Mar on Wednesday; Superplus, Grange Hill in Westmoreland on Thursday; Valuemart, Little London, Westmoreland on Friday; and Texaco in Negril on Saturday.

In upcoming weeks, the speed trap is scheduled for St Catherine, St Ann, Trelawny and St James.

“A system such as the Smart Speed Lite will benefit both the participants and the execution team,” added Ventley Brown, technical advisor on the Red Bull Speed Trap.

Australian Sport manufacturer Fusion Sports, who came up with the ides of the Smart Speed Lite, believes the device can introduce some versatility into athletics as Twenty20 did for cricket.

Red Bull Speed Trap is not a professional challenge, it’s for ordinary folks who want to find out how fast they can go.