THERE was no honeymoon period for Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Allen, newly appointed head of the Elletson Road-based Police Traffic Division.

Days into his September 1 appointment, 18 persons were killed on the island’s road network.

“It was a very challenging first week. I had to hit the ground running,” SSP Allen told Auto. “However, I have the full support and co-operation of an experienced team.”

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) traffic boss, the deaths during that period resulted from three factors: excessive speeding; failing to keep left due to distractions including texting, talking on the phone, and eating; and pedestrian error.

“The parishes of Westmoreland and St Catherine account for most of our fatalities. Therefore, we deliberately deployed our resources to these areas to see how best we can arrest the problem. We’re not going to relent,” said SSP Allen.

“I’m appealing to all road users… do so with utmost care.”

The former St Mary High student — who holds a Master of Science in National Security and Stragegy — believes education is one means of reducing the road deaths which now stands at 227.

“Since January, we have done over 115 lectures, and 28,000 persons, including 25,000 children, have benefited,” he said. “We are committed to work closely with the Road Safety Unit, as well as other agencies including the Transport Authority and the Island Traffic Authority.”

He admitted, however, that the police cannot be everywhere. But the use of technology could assist the JCF in this regard.

“I’m in support of electronic surveillance equipment. The information captured from these devices can be used in our enforcement activities. A policeman may not be at every traffic light, but the behaviour of our motorists will be captured, downloaded and utilised in our enforcement efforts,” he said.

A former deputy commandant in the now-dissolved Island Special Constabulary Force, SSP Allen is a 27-year veteran. The recent JCF reshuffle saw him being transferred to his current assignment from Operations. He succeeds SSP Andrew Lewis, who was transferred to the Court Enquiry.

He acknowledged the hard work of his predecessors ACP Elan Powell, SSP Radcliffe Lewis and SSP Andrew Lewis.

“The Traffic Department will continue to maintain that visible presence across Jamaica and discharge our duties with courtesy and respect, bearing in mind the human rights obligations we have, irrespective of who the motorist is,” he said.