KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Education and information officer of the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Cameal Stewart, is urging parents to pay keen attention to their children while on the road.

“We want to encourage parents to be more cognizant of the road environment with their children. Do not leave them on the road to school. Walk with them on the right side of the road, facing the oncoming traffic,” she told JIS News at the Early Childhood Commission’s back-to-school fair, held on Friday at Emancipation Park, in New Kingston.

Stewart further urged parents not to put the children on the pedestrian crossing and leave them. “Walk with them across the road. Walk with them to school and from school. When transporting them in vehicles, ensure that they use their seat belts,” she added.

For those children who have not yet reached the age of seat belts, Stewart advised utilising the proper age-appropriate car seats. On sidewalks, children must be placed on the inside, rather than on the outside, she noted.

Statistics provided by the education and information officer revealed that since the start of the year, at least seven children have been killed in motor vehicle crashes, while 228 other people have been killed.

Stewart pointed out that pedestrians, motor cyclists and passengers make up the more than 200 persons to have lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes, and that speeding played a factor in those deaths.

“Be on the lookout. Guard your children and be safe on the road. Road safety begins with you,” she said.