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Message Funded by the United Nations Road Safety FundIn collaboration withA Safe Systems Approachfor Safer Roads in JamaicaPan American HealthOrganizationNational Road Safety CouncilMinistry of National SecurityIsland Traffic AuthorityWorld Health OrganizationMinistry of Health and WellnessMinistry of Science, Energy,Telecommunications andTransport (MSETT)

051015202530PedestriansMotorcyclesPrivate Motor Vehicle DriversPassengersOtherRoad traffic incidents (RTI) are the 11th leading cause of deathin Jamaica. Not only a high number of people die on the roadevery year, but over 10,000 people are injured, with manysuffering from long-term disabilities due to RTIs.According to local datafrom the Island TrafficAuthority, between 2001to 2020, fatal RTI mainlyaffected pedestrians.Males account for 70% ofall related RTI fatalities. The current trendreveals that the numberof fatalities has beenincreasing since 2013.Fatal Road Traffic IncidentsAffecting Road Users28.1%17.5%16.8%15.7%21.9%

Local evidence shows that driving under the influence ofalcohol is commonly present in both traffic collisions andresulting fatal and non-fatal injuries. The 2016 National DrugUse Prevalence Survey estimated 18% of males and 5% offemales self-reported driving under the influence of alcohol inthe last 12 months. A previous report elaborated by UNICEF in 2018 shows thatspeeding is the second most common cause of traffic ticketsin the country. Speeding resulted in 60% of crashes on ruralroadways and was present in 23% of fatal road crashes.All this is consistent with global evidence that shows speedingand drunk driving commonly coexist and interact. CAUSES OF ROAD TRAFFIC INCIDENTS

In support of the ongoing response by the Government ofJamaica, the National Road Safety Council and other keystakeholders have prioritized activities to accelerate theresponse “and achieve the national target in keeping withthe global target for the Second Decade of Road Safety, toreduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50%.This project is geared towards positioning Jamaica toachieve the established 2030 goal of the Decade of Actionto reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50%. This will beachieved with a reduction in the fatality rate to 217.The interventions will emphasize the two risk factors -speeding and drink driving and send a message to thepopulation that this is no longer tolerable.Specifically, the project aims to strengthen road safetymanagement, improve road user behaviour, and improve thepost-crash response.STRATEGIES

The Project will support the strengthening of a multi-sectoral mechanism that will work collaboratively toimplement targeted evidence-based interventions andthe collection and analysis of road safety data.Activities include:STRATEGY #1Improved Road SafetyManagement

The project will support interventions that contribute todeveloping and implementing a rigorous enforcementstrategy that addresses speeding and drunk driving whileequipping the police with the necessary technical skills andequipment to strengthen enforcement strategies. Activities include:STRATEGY #2Improved Behaviourof Road Users

The project will support interventions to strengthencapacities to provide timely, quality and professional firstemergency care rehabilitation services.Activities include:STRATEGY #3ImprovedPost Crash Care

We encourage everyone to learn more aboutthis initiative at www.paho.org/en/jamaica.