Jamaica to recruit international expert to lead road safety campaign
Published:Thursday | April 10, 2025 | 2:34 PM
The process to engage an international communications expert with a proven track record in effective road safety campaigns is slated to begin this month, the minister responsible for the transport sector has disclosed.
Daryl Vaz, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, says he expects the process to be completed within “two to three months”.
Jamaican road safety advocates have long bemoaned the absence of a sustained and effective public education campaign about proper road usage amid hundreds of road fatalities annually.
A total of 102 people have died in 89 fatal crashes on Jamaica’s roadways since January 1, according to the latest data from the Island Traffic Authority.
Fatalities are down 19 per cent while fatal crashes decreased by 17 per cent when compared with the corresponding period last year.
Despite the decline, Vaz noted that Jamaica’s average daily fatality rate has risen to just over one per day and said based on current projections the country is on pace to record between 350 and 390 deaths this year.
Jamaica recorded 365 road deaths last year, the lowest in the last seven years.
Cabinet recently gave approval for five per cent of the revenues from traffic fines to be allocated to the ministry responsible for the transport sector.
This amounts to approximately $150 million, Vaz disclosed during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.
The funds, he said, will be used to cover the cost of engaging the international communication expert, among other things.
In addition, Vaz said the new allocation will be used to purchase helmets that meet the specifications of the Road Traffic Act for distribution to licensed motorcycle operators.
Motorcyclists account for 26 per cent of road deaths in Jamaica so far this year.
- Livern Barrett
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