iRAP was proud to join a prestigious panel including Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Zoleka Mandela and representatives of the World Health Organisation, FIA Foundation and the National Road Safety Council to promote “Streets for Life” in developing countries on 20 May.

The event, hosted by the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) in partnership with Jamaica National Foundation and the FIA Foundation, focussed on the UN Global Road Safety Week theme and the thrust to establish 30 kph speed limits in high traffic areas.

Several insights and proposed strategies to tackle the complex issues surrounding road safety in developing countries such as Jamaica were offered.

The message from Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chair of the NRSC Andrew Holness was “Slow down and live!”

Speakers included:

• The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC)
• Earl Jarrett, Deputy Chairman and CEO, Jamaica National Group
• Zoleka Mandela, Child Health Initiative
• Dr Lucien Jones, Vice-Chairman, NRSC
• Dr Parris Lyew-Ayee Jnr, Mona Geoinfomatics Institute
• Dr Etienne Krug, World Health Organisation
• Saul Billingsley, FIA Foundation
• Julio Urzua, iRAP
• Avi Silverman, FIA Foundation

Prime Minister Holness confirmed that the Jamaican Government “is giving serious consideration to the recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) for policy makers worldwide to adopt the Safe Systems approach to reducing road traffic injuries and deaths”.

While endorsing the safe speeds component that offers protection for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, Holness referred to the “unacceptably high” numbers of deaths and injuries on Jamaican roads.

The council said its work in training motorcyclists and the government’s work on the Road Traffic Act, soon to be implemented, will have beneficial impacts.

Holness also launched an appeal for increased grant funding for developing countries, where 80 to 90 per cent of road fatalities occur.

Further information on UN Global Road Safety Week and iRAP’s supporting activities can be found at https://irap.org/6th-un-global-road-safety-week-streets-for-life-love30/