THE 2015 Jamaica Driver & Traffic Safety Expo will be held in Mandela Park in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, tomorrow.

Starting at 9:00 am, the event is also paired with a Road Safety 5K, scheduled at 6:00 am.

“The objective is to interface with as wide a segment of the population as possible,” Alphonso Grennell, event organiser, told Auto.

The event has previous been held at Jamaica College and the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, however the decision has been made to move to Half-Way-Tree, one of Kingston’s primary transportation hubs, to maximise its reach.

“We used to hold the expo and 5K at separate dates, but we hope that along with the increased audience in Half-Way-Tree, some of the runners will stay after,” he said.

June has been designed National Road Safety month by the National Road Safety Council.

Under the theme ‘Road Safety Saves’, this year will see a focus on school children and motorcycle riders. Safety for school children comes under Jamaica’s participation in the United Nations Decade of Action For Road 2011-2020.

“For the first time in our history, motorbike fatalities leads that of pedestrians,” Grennell explained.

The 2015 Jamaica Driver & Traffic Safety Expo will be opened by Dr Morais V Guy, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing. The keynote speaker will be Kenute Hare, director Road Safety Unit.

Grennell, who is also managing director for Grennell’s Driving School, will give a presentation on defensive driving. Sponsorship partners such as PetroJam and Transport Authority will be on hand with information booths. Patrons can also enjoy live family entertainment, partake in driver challenges and a debate on road safety.

“Red Stripe will be there with their Drink Right programme and JAGAS (Jamaica German Automotive School) to provide information of preventative vehicle maintenance. We are trying to make the day as educational as possible,” he said.

— Rory Daley