ON THE ROAD, everyone must be their brother’s keeper.
Road safety activist Junior Jordan said it was “staggering” how many lives had been lost on the island’s roads so far this year – 12 fatalities so far compared to ten in 2016.
“We are really concerned about this and are appealing to both pedestrians and motorists to look out for one another,” he said.
On Sunday night, Anderson Joseph, 49, was struck by a car and killed as he crossed the road along Westmoreland, St James. He was walking with his five-year-old son Nazaria who received serious injuries and is in hospital.
NATION ONLINE went to the area and spoke to residents, who called for a roundabout, stop lights and pedestrian crossings to be implemented.
Jordan said historically, crossings and hand operated lights made roads safer but in the absence of such, there were precautions people should take, whether driving or walking.
“Pedestrians must take full control of how they cross and motorists must be extra vigilant. Motorists must realise they have to reduce their speed when they approach any junction, even if there are no pedestrians in sight, as people can emerge from side roads,” he said.
Jordan also suggested any pedestrian crossing any road at night wear either bright or reflective clothing and encouraged every pedestrian to invest in such.
“There are reflective clothing, shoes, vests and armbands or if you know you will be walking on any road at night, then carry a lighted torchlight, which is in the Highway Code,” he said.
Jordan also advised pedestrians not to cross in front of any oncoming vehicle at night as it was impossible to accurately tell its distance or speed. (CA)