This Highway Patrol unit was involved in three-vehicle collision along the Highway 2000, St. Catherine on Saturday, December 17. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
TRANSJAMAICAN HIGHWAY is reporting that since the opening of Highway 2000 in 2003, majority of accidents on that thoroughfare have been attributable to poor vehicular maintenance and the failure of drivers to obey the prescribed speed limit.
According to Desmond Levy, operations manager at TransJamaican Highway, since 2003 there have been more than 256 accidents on Highway 2000. He says of this number, tyre failure stemming from poor maintenance has contributed to 145 accidents or 57.1 per cent.
The latest death resulting from an accident on Highway 2000 is that of 42-year-old Corporal Leslie Smith. Corporal Smith, who had stopped to speak with his colleagues patrolling Highway 2000, was killed after being hit by a Rover motor car, which then slammed into his car and a police service vehicle near the Spanish Town and Portmore exit.
URGE TO PRACTISE SAFE DRIVING
Twenty-two-year-old medical student, Payton Lawrence, of a Mandeville address, has since been charged with one count of manslaughter and dangerous driving in connection with the incident.
He was granted bail in the sum of $150,000 and ordered to surrender his travel documents when he appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on December 23.
Three other policemen were also injured in the accident.
In the meantime, TransJamaican Highway Limited is imploring motorists to practise safe driving habits and use extreme caution, when using the Highway.
The 74-kilometre highway stretches from Bushy Park in St. Catherine to Sandy Bay in Clarendon.
HIGHWAY 2000 FATALITIES
Sept. 2003 to Dec. 2005
One killed in motor vehicle accident involving stray animal;
Four killed in accidents resulting from poor tyre maintenance;
Three killed in accidents resulting from poor judgement of driver.
Total number of fatalities : Eight
- Source: TransJamaican Highway
