KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Transport and Mining, Audley Shaw, is appealing to motor vehicle operators to take greater care on the roads, following over 300 road fatalities since the start of the year.

Shaw was addressing a ceremony held at his Maxfield Avenue offices in St Andrew on Friday, for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the training of operators in the public transport sector under the Team Jamaica programme.

In making the call, he added that since the beginning of 2022, road fatalities have been recorded at 350. As such, Shaw is imploring drivers exercise greater care as they traverse the roadways.

He added that operators of motor vehicles must obey the road code and “drive for life” at all times.

“We [must] stem the tide of traffic crashes that continue to negatively permeate the socio-economic fabric of our society,” he said.

Meanwhile, some 1000 personnel will be trained as Jamaica Union of Travellers Association counterparts, as well as first responders and road safety ambassadors, under the agreement.

The partners in the undertaking are the Tourism Product Development Company, Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), British Caribbean Insurance Company, Team Jamaica, and the Transport Authority.

Shaw commended the groups for coming together to enhance service delivery in the transport sector.

He said he is heartened by the commitment of the operators to set high standards for road safety and ensure a reliable public transportation service as they play a key role in advancing the image of the sector and creating a better country.