The Pan American Well being Group (PAHO) reported that after assembly final week with the Nationwide Street Security Council (NRSC) and took part of their highway security critiques, in an announcement later launched it has been confirmed that regardless of proactive efforts by the federal government of Jamaica via the NRSC and its members the demise toll stays alarmingly excessive annually.
In accordance with the Street Security Unit, Jamaica recorded 425 highway fatalities in 2023. The report confirmed that the disaster is fueled by indiscipline and social determinants akin to extreme rushing and disrespect for highway guidelines.
The knowledge collected by the PAHO additionally revealed that Jamaica’s highway security fee of 18 % per 100,000 per yr is greater than the common for the area of the Americas, which is 14.1. The PAHO stated this positioned the nation in a tie for 13 out of 19 positions relating to the bottom charges of highway fatalities amongst nations within the Americas. The report revealed that Jamaica’s fatalities is 3.5 occasions greater than its Caribbean neighbor, Trinidad and Tobago and solely marginally decrease than the common fee for the African Area at ten.
The Pan American Well being Group/World Well being Group consultant for Jamaica, Bermuda and the Grand Cayman, Ian Stein in commenting, emphasised the fast want for intersectoral and all-of-government strategy to formulate and implement efficient insurance policies and interventions.
Stein stated the figures are disappointing however highway security challenges in Jamaica current “actual alternatives for enchancment” with specific consideration wanted to handle alarming statistics associated to bike fatalities.
The PAHO stated it’s actively collaborating with the NRSC in enhancing highway security methods to create a safer and extra sustainable transport setting throughout the nation. In 2023, the PAHO additionally supported a highway security administration capability overview performed by NRSC.
PAHO can be main the implementation of a collaboration with the United Nations Street Security Fund, specializing in the Secure System Strategy for safter roads in Jamaica.
The Caribbean Life newspaper spoke to Jamaican, Brendalyn McKnight a registered nurse who lately visited Jamaica and she or he stated her issues are with the habits of the drivers who’re careless on the streets. The velocity and disrespect for streets legal guidelines have to be stopped, she stated.
The PAHO stated the efforts to enhance targeted on highway security administration, habits enchancment, and post-crash care outcomes in alignment with the World Well being Group/United Nations International Plan for the Decade of Motion Street Security 2021-2030.
