Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Making our roads safer
The number of road crashes in Jamaica continues to increase.
Letters
February 12, 2023

Making our roads safer

Dear Editor,

Jamaica is facing a severe problem with road fatalities, with hundreds of people losing their lives each year due to traffic collisions.

This is devastating and is taking a huge toll on families and communities across the island. The problem demands urgent attention and action.

The Government has increased fines and seeks to enforce the new Road Traffic Act, which is a step in the right direction; however, more needs to be done if we wish to make our roads safer.

There are many factors that contribute to road fatalities in Jamaica, including poor road infrastructure, lack of enforcement of traffic laws, and reckless driving. For example, many roads in Jamaica are poorly lit and maintained, making it difficult for drivers to see what’s ahead of them. Additionally, there are often few or no road signs to guide motorists, and traffic laws are often ignored. Finally, there is a culture of recklessness, whereby many drivers fail to obey traffic rules and engage in dangerous behaviour, like speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving.

To make our roads safer, it is essential that we take a multifaceted approach that addresses all of these issues. Here are some steps that can be taken to reduce road fatalities in Jamaica:

*Improve road infrastructure: This can include installing better lighting and road signs, repairing damaged roads, and adding new traffic controls to help regulate the flow of traffic.

*Educate drivers: It is important to educate drivers about the dangers of reckless driving and to encourage them to take a more responsible approach to driving. This can be done through public awareness campaigns, driver education programmes, and other initiatives that raise awareness about the dangers of reckless driving.

*Encourage the use of safer vehicles: Promoting the use of safer vehicles, such as cars with airbags, seat belts, and other safety features can help reduce the number of fatalities in traffic crashes.

*Increase funding for road safety initiatives: To tackle this problem effectively, we must invest more resources in road safety initiatives. This can include providing funding for road maintenance and improvement projects as well as funding for traffic enforcement and driver education programmes.

Reducing road fatalities in Jamaica is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive approach. By taking steps to improve the road infrastructure, enforce traffic laws, educate drivers, encourage the use of safer vehicles, and increase funding for road safety initiatives we can make our roads safer and save lives.

If we all work together we can make a difference and create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Jamaica for all.

Janiel J McEwan

janielmcewan17@gmail.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Jamaica’s unemployment inches up to 3.7 per cent as Melissa fallout continues
Latest News, News
Jamaica’s unemployment inches up to 3.7 per cent as Melissa fallout continues
June 30, 2026
Jamaica’s unemployment rate stood at 3.7 per cent in April, up from 3.3 per cent in April 2025, according to the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) rele...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Survivor details 48 hours under rubble in Venezuela
Latest News, Regional
Survivor details 48 hours under rubble in Venezuela
June 30, 2026
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Andrea Canonico focused on her breathing to stay calm as she lay trapped under a building that had crumbled during the two ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
World’s oceans break June heat record — EU monitor
Environment, International News, Latest News
World’s oceans break June heat record — EU monitor
June 30, 2026
PARIS, France (AFP) — The world's oceans just experienced their hottest June on record and could set fresh highs in the months ahead as El Niño and cl...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Thousands march to demand illegal migrants leave South Africa
International News, Latest News
Thousands march to demand illegal migrants leave South Africa
June 30, 2026
DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) -- Thousands of people marched across South Africa on Tuesday to demand the departure of undocumented foreign nationals aft...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Daley wants greater attention paid to men’s mental health
Latest News, News
Daley wants greater attention paid to men’s mental health
June 30, 2026
Opposition Spokesperson on gender, the elderly, and persons with disability, Denise Daley, wants greater attention to be paid to men’s mental health. ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Daley calls for national femicide registry
Latest News, News
Daley calls for national femicide registry
June 30, 2026
Opposition Spokesperson on Gender, the elderly, and persons with disability, Denise Daley is calling for the establishment of a national femicide regi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica economy contracts 4.1% in first quarter
Business, Latest News
Jamaica economy contracts 4.1% in first quarter
June 30, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s economy contracted by 4.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, a less severe decline than earlier preliminary estimate...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Struggling small businesses urged to use Gov’t’s insolvency regime
Latest News, News
Struggling small businesses urged to use Gov’t’s insolvency regime
June 30, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —  Small business owners struggling to meet their financial obligations are being urged to take advantage of the options available u...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct