By Warren Bertram
Assistant Commissioner of Police Gary McKenzie, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), says the thoroughfares in what he terms "good condition" are hotspots for the majority of road crashes.
ACP McKenzie said it is ironic that although Jamaicans have staged numerous protests over poor road conditions, motorists tend to chose better driving surfaces to engage in speeding and other risky practices, which lead to a higher number of crashes.
The senior cop, who was speaking Thursday evening on JCF Now on Radio Jamaica, named some of the specific roadways known to be hotspots for fatalities.
In Westmoreland, he highlighted the road leading from Savanna-la-Mar to Negril, which he notes has featured in numerous motorcycle fatalities.
The Elegant Corridor in St. James was also singled out by ACP McKenzie as an area of concern. Nineteen people perished along that road last year.
The policeman said more speed checks and high visibility patrols are needed in the area.
Despite the road having adequate and working traffic lights, he suggested that motorists tend to disobey these signals, especially at night, which is when most of the crashes occur.
ACP McKenzie also made note of the road leading from Discovery Bay and St. Ann's Bay in St. Ann.
The Llandovery main road, he said, is especially dangerous when it is wet.
As for Kingston and St. Andrew, Nelson Mandela Highway, Marcus Garvey Drive and Spanish Town Road were listed as major crash hotspots.
ACP Mckenzie again issued a call for road users to adopt safe driving practices, including obeying speed limits and proper overtaking.