THE FINDINGS of traffic conflict studies undertaken by the Ministry of Transport and Works, with the assistance of Swedish experts, are now being analysed, in order "to identify the interactions among road users that are most likely to cause accidents, and develop remedial safety solutions".
This is among several initiatives currently being pursued as part of the Ministry's ongoing programme to promote road safety. Transport and Works Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, explained that field observations were conducted at several locations deemed to be 'high risk' in the Corporate Area and St. Catherine. These included Elizabeth Avenue and Red Hills Road; Mountain View Avenue and Langston Road; Long Lane and Old Stony Hill Road; Mannings Hill Road and Constant Spring Road; Burke Road and Barrett Street.
Dr. Phillips said that "while the Ministry of Transport and Works is putting in place a comprehensive framework through legislation, public education and effective administrative systems... we must recognise that every citizen... every motorist... every cyclist and every pedestrian has a role to play in making our roads safe for all."
The Transport and Works Minister, who was speaking at the recent UGI Road Safety Essay Competition Award Ceremony in Kingston, noted that the continued high level of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, especially among children, was cause for concern.
He said that, of the 90 pedestrians who died in traffic accidents in 1999, approximately 31 per cent were children 14 years and under; and of all the children killed in traffic accidents during the year, 57 per cent were pedestrians and 38 per cent were passengers in private motor vehicles. While the 27 children killed in road accidents this year represented a reduction on the 1999 figure, the Transport and Works Minister stated that many of the accidents could have been prevented, with greater regard for the rules of the road.
Dr. Phillips announced that the Ministry's Road Safety Unit would continue its collaboration with the National Road Safety Council and the Ministry of Education to mount a special multi-media campaign for schools in the new academic year. The Unit would also be staging a series of live promotions to take the safety message into remote rural communities, he said.
The Transport and Works Minister cited, among other initiatives, regulations for the mandatory use of seat belts and helmets, major road upgrading projects to create safe and adequate driving surfaces, and the restructuring of the Island Traffic Authority.
Dr. Phillips said programmes such as the UGI Road Safety Essay Competition "are empowering children to take responsibility for their own safety.. and laying the foundation for a new generation of safety conscious road users". And, he urged winners of the Competition to become "road safety ambassadors" by spreading the safety message among their peers, as well as among the adults with whom they interacted.
