THE police Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) has received 115 tablet computers from the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) to support digital collection of electronic road crash data.

The tablets were presented during a meeting of the National Road Safety Council recently.

The devices were procured under the United Nations (UN) Road Safety Fund Project ‘A Safe Systems Approach for Safer Roads in Jamaica’ facilitated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Director of road safety at the ITA Dr Shama Campbell said the handover of the tablets marked a critical milestone in its efforts to improve road safety and strengthen evidence-based decision-making in the transport sector.

“As we confront the persistent challenge of road traffic crashes, one truth remains constant: We cannot manage what we do not measure. Accurate and timely crash data is fundamental to understanding risk, designing effective interventions, and monitoring impact,” said Campbell.

“Manual or paper-based data-collection methods such as the accident record booklets currently being used, while once necessary, often result in delays, transcription errors, and data fragmentation.

“A modernised, integrated data capture process is essential for creating safer roads and more efficient transport systems,” Campbell added.

In his response, PSTEB commanding officer Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Gary McKenzie said the donation of the tablets will enhance the police’s ability to carry out their responsibilities more effectively.

“It is very important for us to note that as we move on the business of road safety, the issue of technological advancement and efficiency is critical to our work. We have to gather and analyse data, and we have to do so efficiently and effectively.

“So, receiving these tablets will help our officers in the field to instantaneously gather data [and] to be able to have it stored and assist us to refer to them as we conduct investigations and conclude on crashes,” said McKenzie.