THE National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is disappointed that the debate of the new Road Traffic Act by the Senate has been stalled as Parliament will be dissolved due to the upcoming general election on February 25.

Last Friday, the new Road Traffic Act went to the Senate for discussion and these discussions, which will restart after Parliament resumes.

“We are disappointed that we face a situation where the adoption of the new Road Traffic Act is further delayed, and we hope that the upcoming budget debates will not lengthen this delay,” said Dr Lucien Jones, vice- chairman and convenor of the NRSC.

During the debate, Opposition Senator Arthur Williams argued that the time had come to review Jamaica’s speed limits which have been in place since 1938.

According to him, vehicles have improved and the laws should be changed to match the latest developments in vehicle technology.

Dr Jones’ position on this is that any revision of the speed limits upwards cannot be applied generally and would have to be properly rationalised, taking into consideration all factors in the traffic environment.

In addition to this, Dr Jones has emphasised the importance of road safety during the election period.

“We are asking leaders of both parties to speak to their management team, party base and supporters about safety on our roads, especially when travelling to political meetings in motorcades. The speed limit must be observed and the drivers must not allow body protrusion of their passengers. It is against the law. The Council hopes that sanity will prevail on our roads during this election period, and that there will be no undue pressure on the police to enforce the law. No one has to lose their life on our roads during this election period.”