PM Support New Road Traffic Regulations

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has welcomed the passage of the new road traffic regulations, in the House of Representatives on July 5. He says the regulations will protect the safety of all road users. Prime Minister Holness is confident that the additional regulations to the road traffic act will enhance road safety in Jamaica. In Thursday’s sitting of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) meeting, he noted game changing conditions that will greatly reduce fatalities on Jamaica’s roads.

Holness highlighted the remote detection of offences using cameras and other electronic devices and the issuing of tickets for such offences using electronic means. The new regulations contain 299 orders, grouped into 13 parts. It provides for a slate of new offences and fines under the 2018 Road Traffic Act.

He also highlighted the new regulations that public passenger vehicles and motorcycle operators must follow in order to create safer conditions for road users. He underscores that these changes must be accompanied by a robust public education campaign.

The prime minister indicated that means of meeting the international goal of 50% reduction in road fatalities and injuries by 2030 would be discussed in the NRSC sitting. Holness says if the ecosystem of stakeholders responsible for road safety, use the safe systems approach, every road death and injury could be prevented.

Reporter: Jhanielle Powell