THE 2015 Jamaica Driver & Traffic Safety Expo has been hailed a success by event organiser Alphonso Grennell. The expo took place at its new location in Mandela Park, Half-Way-Tree in St Andrew, last Saturday.

“It was a resounding success as we had plenty of people passing through,” he told Auto.

The increased attendance validated the move to Half-Way-Tree, which was considered a strategic location as one of Kingston’s major transportation hubs. The event was previously held at Jamaica College and the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, both in St Andrew.

“The constant flow was great for the event,” Grennell explained.

And there was plenty to see as the various participants, such as The Jamaica German Automotive School (JAGAS) and Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PetroJam), saw plenty of foot traffic at their booths from those seeking information and light entertainment.

The need for the expo and an expansion of its message couldn’t have come at more integral time as keynote speaker Kenute Hare, director Road Safety Unit, pointed out in his speech.

Hare said to date road fatalities have reached 150, with half of the year still to go. With the trend going unchecked, this could clearly impact the target of keeping fatalities below 300 mark for 2015. Hare projected 315 deaths at current rates. Both he and Grennell linked road fatalities beyond the loss of life, indicating its financial costs to the country.

“Most persons killed belonged in the 20-34 age group and are males, who are breadwinners of their families,” Hare said.

Grennell discussed the costs in claims to insurance companies which then are forced to increase their rates to cover the massive payouts.

The expo also saw commentaries from the likes of Milton Samuda, chairman, JAMPRO; Kingston & St Andrew mayor Angela Brown Burke; Paula Fletcher, executive director, National Road Safety Council (NRSC); and Dr Morais V Guy, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, who gave the Prime Minister’s message.

With June designated National Road Safety month by the NRSC and Jamaica participating in the United Nations Decade of Action For Road 2011-2020, the focus for the event were the topics of school pedestrian and motorcycle safety.

“Pedestrians, just like motorcyclists are fully exposed. Speeds above 30 km/h can be very dangerous for these road users, who in many instances when they are hit receive close to 100 per cent of the impact,” Hare explained.

On the topic of motorcycle safety, Tarik Kiddoe of Shango Bikerz gave a well-received presentation that made no bones about the gloom facing his fellow riders.

“In 2014, we had about 65 bike fatalities. In June, we have already 45 fatalities and the projections are for 90 at the end of the year,” Kiddoe said.