Road Safety
Traffic Management
The flow of traffic is of major concern to JAP as even in off-peak hours there are usually cogestion on most of our
nation's streets and this worsen greatly during the peak hours. Thousands of gallons of fuel are wasted each day
and tons of gaseous pollutants are added to the air as vehicles idle in heavy traffic. The management of the flow
of traffic will be look at with ha view to alleviating the congestion and having the flow of traffic at an acceptable level
at all times. With our limited streets and the volume of traffic on them, this can only be achieved with the
corperation from the driving public and by voluntary compliance.
The ability to make a left turn on red at a stop light will be introduced except at certain locations where sign will be
posted to indicate such. At present motorist are allowed to turn left on red at many of our stop lights where there is
an island. This will be expanded to most stoplights. Repairs to the roadway will be done immediately where it is
impeeding the flow of traffic thus causing a backup of traffic.
The directional flow of traffic will be looked at so as to get the best flow possible. The sequencing of lights and
time of green will also be reviewed to get the best flow possible. Predestrians will be educated on the proper use of
the roadway as they often prove to be a obstacle to the smooth flow of trafffic. In some instances voluntary
compliance will be sought to keep traffic off the street or to get them to use the roadway at some time by the use of
odd and even licence numbers.
Signage & Road Markings
The lack of Signage and road markings on our roadways are of major concern as this has a major impact on the
safe usage of our roads. Missing and faded road signs are also common feature of our roadways. Poor placement
of others also defeated the purpose that they designed to serve and improper marking of roadways also add to the
confusion and danger of using the roadway. JAP will make the placement and maintainance of street signs and
road marking a major priorty. Poor placement of street sign make many of them out of view or serve to confuse the
motorist. Many intersection which would be best served by four-way stops due to poor visibility have only two-way
stops. Improper road marking does not give motoridt sufficient time to get into the proper lane while others poses a
danger to motorist. For example there are several ending of the right lane which merges into the left lane. This
poses a grave danger as it forces the motorist in the right lane to be looking out for traffic on his left and checking
his blind spot, while at the same time ensuring that he does not stray over into the on-comming traffic. The traffic
on the left does not face these challenges and can easily merge into the traffic on the right. The road code in
Jamaica state that we should give preference to traffic on the right. Faded and non-existatnt predestrian marking
and the lack of stop line at our intersections poses a grave danger for road users. In the event that the signs are
missed, these road marking serve as a clear indication to drivers of the rule. Stiff penalties will be introduced for
the destruction of these sign and for the placement of unauthorised markings on our roads.
Indicipline
Many persons drive without any regards to the road code or for other road users. Sadly they have been allowed to
get away wit it for so long that in many ways it has become the norm. for many of them. Many person are now
fearful to travel on our roadways and avoid doing so whenever possible. Many of these violations are known to the
police but little or no effort are made to curtail them.The lack of the use of signals by many drivers to change lane
and make turns has contributed to many accidents. So too does tail-gating and impatience on the part of a lot of
drivers. The poice will be encourage to be more proactive and focus on issues contributing to our high accident
rate.
The constant and unnecessary use of horns and engine break has become a constant nuisance. It does not matter
the place or the time of day. It occurs both day and night, in residential areas, near schools, places of worship and
hospitals. The absence of signs to indicate silent zones only make the problem worst. Motor bike are now being
fitted with mufflers which produce a lot of annoying noise as their engine are reved unnecessarily.Steps will be put
in place to
The lack of lane marking contributes to the indicipline on our roads as this makes it more difficult to identify persons
breaking the road code. Effort will be made to maintain road marking and road edge marking willl be discontinued
except where it is deemed necessary.
Road Condition
It is quite common to drive on a nice roadway and return three years later to find it in a state of total disrepair. The
lack of maintainance of our roads is one of the major reason why our road network is in such a poor state. The
other is the poor standard which is used in the maintainance and rehabilitation of our roadways. Procedures must
be put in place for the proper and timely maintainance, and rehabilitation of our roads. The constant resurfacing of
our roads has led to many of them being above the level of the sidewalk and water hydrants almost covered.
Existing asphalt need to be scraped off before being resurfaced. Bridges are not spared either as tons of asphalt
are dumped on them thus increasing the weight that the bridge must support. This is totally undesirable as it could
pose a danger since the maximum vehiclelar weight is not revised downwards. JAP will put in place a proper
maintainance schedule for all our roads beginning with our arterial roads followed by our secondary then feeder
roads. A network will be set up with some members of the motoring public so that potholes and other problems
which poses serious danger can be fixed immediately.
Dangers
Some of the major dangers on our roads are posed by indicipline drivers, potholes, improper design and marking
of traffic islands and road dividers, stray animals and poor visibility due to bushes and improperly built walls. The
danger of indicipline drivers and pothole will be dealt with as stated in 'Road Condition' and 'Indicipline' above.
Immediate steps will be taken to remove, modify and mark traffic islands and road dividers as needed. Road
marking will also guide drivers away from these dangers. Stray animals found on roads with 80 km/H speed limit
and above will be impounded. Beautification projects will be limited to low shrubs as often plants become overgrown
and block the view of predestrians and motorists. Trees should not be planted along roadway for beautification. as
many motorist have been killed from crashing into these trees in accidents which might have resulted only in minor
injuries if these trees had not been planted there. The area beside our roadway should be kept clear of all
obstacles as far as is possible. Step will have to be taken to improve the visibility where view is obstrucued by walls
and other fixtures. This is especially true at some intersections where it is necessary to venture out half way into
the roadway before the driver can see if the way is clear.
walls blocking view
Safety
A major safety programme will be launched in our schools and among the general public as to the proper use of
the roadway. Minimum speed limit will be set on our toll highways. Persons driving way below the speed limit and
obstructing traffic will be charge for this offence. Proper signage will be erected to specify the speed limit
throughout the country.
Seizure of motor vehicles
The offences for which motor vehicles can be siezed will be review and amended to best serve the interest of the
public.
Points System and Fines
The license of a driver should only be suspended or disqualified where it is deemed that he poses a danger to
other road users due to a specific action or series of actions. As it stands the point system does not serve that
purpose and JAP proposes to revamp and overall it. The first act will be to remove points from all non-moving
violations. Give example. Other violations such as having a blown head light bulb will not carry points as while
driving one is not in a position to know that a bulb has been blown.. The points for each offence will be removed
after three years instead all point beng removed after three year without receiving any additional points. Persons
will also have the option of removing a set number of points within a prescribed period by completing an approved
safety class and/or a course in defensive driving.
The level of fines will also be look at with a view of decreasing the propsed fines as set out in the new road code
act. This onerous fineis unfair will not serve to improve road safety but instead will be burdensome and increase
curruption. The argument that if you obey the law you need not worry about these penalties is invalid and will not
be pursued.
A system of accurately recording and keeping track of points accumulated by all drivers .will be implemented.
Drivers will be required to keep their address current as they must inform the tax office and get a replacement
licence within three months of a change in their address. In this way persons can be notified to surrender their
licence when they have accumulated the required points. Persons who are ticketed and fail to pay their fines or
attend court, will have their licence suspended until they have met the requirements set out instead of being
arrested.
The option of clearing all points and starting afresh will be considered but any fines associated with all tickets will
have to be paid.
Predestrians.
Laws against jay-wakling will be introduced as many accidents occur when careless presdestrians are hit or drivers
crashes as they try to avoid them. Ways to assist parents and discourage small children from using the road by
themself will be looked at.
Traffic Management
The flow of traffic is of major concern to JAP as even in off-peak hours there are usually cogestion on most of our
nation's streets and this worsen greatly during the peak hours. Thousands of gallons of fuel are wasted each day
and tons of gaseous pollutants are added to the air as vehicles idle in heavy traffic. The management of the flow
of traffic will be look at with ha view to alleviating the congestion and having the flow of traffic at an acceptable level
at all times. With our limited streets and the volume of traffic on them, this can only be achieved with the
corperation from the driving public and by voluntary compliance.
The ability to make a left turn on red at a stop light will be introduced except at certain locations where sign will be
posted to indicate such. At present motorist are allowed to turn left on red at many of our stop lights where there is
an island. This will be expanded to most stoplights. Repairs to the roadway will be done immediately where it is
impeeding the flow of traffic thus causing a backup of traffic.
The directional flow of traffic will be looked at so as to get the best flow possible. The sequencing of lights and
time of green will also be reviewed to get the best flow possible. Predestrians will be educated on the proper use of
the roadway as they often prove to be a obstacle to the smooth flow of trafffic. In some instances voluntary
compliance will be sought to keep traffic off the street or to get them to use the roadway at some time by the use of
odd and even licence numbers.
Signage & Road Markings
The lack of Signage and road markings on our roadways are of major concern as this has a major impact on the
safe usage of our roads. Missing and faded road signs are also common feature of our roadways. Poor placement
of others also defeated the purpose that they designed to serve and improper marking of roadways also add to the
confusion and danger of using the roadway. JAP will make the placement and maintainance of street signs and
road marking a major priorty. Poor placement of street sign make many of them out of view or serve to confuse the
motorist. Many intersection which would be best served by four-way stops due to poor visibility have only two-way
stops. Improper road marking does not give motoridt sufficient time to get into the proper lane while others poses a
danger to motorist. For example there are several ending of the right lane which merges into the left lane. This
poses a grave danger as it forces the motorist in the right lane to be looking out for traffic on his left and checking
his blind spot, while at the same time ensuring that he does not stray over into the on-comming traffic. The traffic
on the left does not face these challenges and can easily merge into the traffic on the right. The road code in
Jamaica state that we should give preference to traffic on the right. Faded and non-existatnt predestrian marking
and the lack of stop line at our intersections poses a grave danger for road users. In the event that the signs are
missed, these road marking serve as a clear indication to drivers of the rule. Stiff penalties will be introduced for
the destruction of these sign and for the placement of unauthorised markings on our roads.
Indicipline
Many persons drive without any regards to the road code or for other road users. Sadly they have been allowed to
get away wit it for so long that in many ways it has become the norm. for many of them. Many person are now
fearful to travel on our roadways and avoid doing so whenever possible. Many of these violations are known to the
police but little or no effort are made to curtail them.The lack of the use of signals by many drivers to change lane
and make turns has contributed to many accidents. So too does tail-gating and impatience on the part of a lot of
drivers. The poice will be encourage to be more proactive and focus on issues contributing to our high accident
rate.
The constant and unnecessary use of horns and engine break has become a constant nuisance. It does not matter
the place or the time of day. It occurs both day and night, in residential areas, near schools, places of worship and
hospitals. The absence of signs to indicate silent zones only make the problem worst. Motor bike are now being
fitted with mufflers which produce a lot of annoying noise as their engine are reved unnecessarily.Steps will be put
in place to
The lack of lane marking contributes to the indicipline on our roads as this makes it more difficult to identify persons
breaking the road code. Effort will be made to maintain road marking and road edge marking willl be discontinued
except where it is deemed necessary.
Road Condition
It is quite common to drive on a nice roadway and return three years later to find it in a state of total disrepair. The
lack of maintainance of our roads is one of the major reason why our road network is in such a poor state. The
other is the poor standard which is used in the maintainance and rehabilitation of our roadways. Procedures must
be put in place for the proper and timely maintainance, and rehabilitation of our roads. The constant resurfacing of
our roads has led to many of them being above the level of the sidewalk and water hydrants almost covered.
Existing asphalt need to be scraped off before being resurfaced. Bridges are not spared either as tons of asphalt
are dumped on them thus increasing the weight that the bridge must support. This is totally undesirable as it could
pose a danger since the maximum vehiclelar weight is not revised downwards. JAP will put in place a proper
maintainance schedule for all our roads beginning with our arterial roads followed by our secondary then feeder
roads. A network will be set up with some members of the motoring public so that potholes and other problems
which poses serious danger can be fixed immediately.
Dangers
Some of the major dangers on our roads are posed by indicipline drivers, potholes, improper design and marking
of traffic islands and road dividers, stray animals and poor visibility due to bushes and improperly built walls. The
danger of indicipline drivers and pothole will be dealt with as stated in 'Road Condition' and 'Indicipline' above.
Immediate steps will be taken to remove, modify and mark traffic islands and road dividers as needed. Road
marking will also guide drivers away from these dangers. Stray animals found on roads with 80 km/H speed limit
and above will be impounded. Beautification projects will be limited to low shrubs as often plants become overgrown
and block the view of predestrians and motorists. Trees should not be planted along roadway for beautification. as
many motorist have been killed from crashing into these trees in accidents which might have resulted only in minor
injuries if these trees had not been planted there. The area beside our roadway should be kept clear of all
obstacles as far as is possible. Step will have to be taken to improve the visibility where view is obstrucued by walls
and other fixtures. This is especially true at some intersections where it is necessary to venture out half way into
the roadway before the driver can see if the way is clear.
walls blocking view
Safety
A major safety programme will be launched in our schools and among the general public as to the proper use of
the roadway. Minimum speed limit will be set on our toll highways. Persons driving way below the speed limit and
obstructing traffic will be charge for this offence. Proper signage will be erected to specify the speed limit
throughout the country.
Seizure of motor vehicles
The offences for which motor vehicles can be siezed will be review and amended to best serve the interest of the
public.
Points System and Fines
The license of a driver should only be suspended or disqualified where it is deemed that he poses a danger to
other road users due to a specific action or series of actions. As it stands the point system does not serve that
purpose and JAP proposes to revamp and overall it. The first act will be to remove points from all non-moving
violations. Give example. Other violations such as having a blown head light bulb will not carry points as while
driving one is not in a position to know that a bulb has been blown.. The points for each offence will be removed
after three years instead all point beng removed after three year without receiving any additional points. Persons
will also have the option of removing a set number of points within a prescribed period by completing an approved
safety class and/or a course in defensive driving.
The level of fines will also be look at with a view of decreasing the propsed fines as set out in the new road code
act. This onerous fineis unfair will not serve to improve road safety but instead will be burdensome and increase
curruption. The argument that if you obey the law you need not worry about these penalties is invalid and will not
be pursued.
A system of accurately recording and keeping track of points accumulated by all drivers .will be implemented.
Drivers will be required to keep their address current as they must inform the tax office and get a replacement
licence within three months of a change in their address. In this way persons can be notified to surrender their
licence when they have accumulated the required points. Persons who are ticketed and fail to pay their fines or
attend court, will have their licence suspended until they have met the requirements set out instead of being
arrested.
The option of clearing all points and starting afresh will be considered but any fines associated with all tickets will
have to be paid.
Predestrians.
Laws against jay-wakling will be introduced as many accidents occur when careless presdestrians are hit or drivers
crashes as they try to avoid them. Ways to assist parents and discourage small children from using the road by
themself will be looked at.
THE JAMAICA ACTION PARTY
J A P
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |