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JAMAICA AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION ASSISTS ROAD SAFETY UNIT

Mr. Alan Beckford, President of the JAA (2nd from left) hands over the cheque to Minister Mike Henry (2nd from right). Others in the pic are from l-r Mr. Phillip Bernard, Director, JAA, Kenute Hare, Actg. Director, RSU (centre) and Mr. Paul Clemetson, Director, Island Traffic Authority (right).

In an effort to maintain an Automated Traffic Accident Database for the input, processing and retrieval of accident data, the Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) donated $358,275.00 to the Road Safety Unit with a view to fulfilling that particular objective. The handing over took place at the Ministry of Transport and Works on Thursday, October 16, 2008.

The money will be used to compensate fifteen HEART TRUST NTA Trainees who were employed to input approximately 14,000 traffic crash data over a two month period. The project commenced on September 22 and will be completed on November 14, 2008.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Mike Henry noted that the donation of the cheque was a timely gesture and he thanked the JAA for their observing their social responsibility in a tangible fashion. He expressed confidence that the funds will assist in furthering the work of the Road Safety Unit and by extension the wider travelling public.

For his part, Acting Director of the Road Safety Unit hailed the gesture as ‘just what the doctor ordered’ for the RSU. He said that efforts like that of the JAA can only enhance the job of saving lives on the nation’s roads.

Also speaking at the handing over ceremony was Mr. Alan Beckford, President of the JAA who declared his Association’s continued support for entities such as the Road Safety Unit. He said that they were pleased to be doing their part in helping to decrease the rates of accidents on the nation’s roads.

To date, over 5,500 records have been entered and the trainees have been working assiduously to reach and maintain specific targets in order to achieve the goal of entering the 14,000 traffic crash data. On completion of the Database, the Unit will be well on its way in meeting bits obligations under the National Road Safety Policy (NRSP) by providing the nation with quality analysis of traffic crashes.