Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) traffic division will be out in full force as of today, with some 20 newly-acquired breathalyser machines to help curtail the number of traffic accidents during the festive season.
With a significant number of road fatalities normally occurring during the Christmas season, traffic officials are imploring individuals to be extra careful on the island's roadways in the upcoming weeks.
"We will be out to ensure that people who are drinking and driving are caught, taken off the roads and prosecuted," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Linval Bailey during yesterday's commissioning of the new equipment.
"Don't be surprised if you see us at different times of the night at several areas of entertainment, such as clubs and bars. We will be setting up checkpoints along several highways to snag traffic offenders," he added.
The breathalysers, valued at approximately US$230,000, have already been distributed to some 15 points across the island, including Rockfort, Hunts Bay, Central Village and Yallahs.
It is anticipated that the machines will significantly assist law enforcers in their attempts to minimise the number of road fatalities for the remainder of the year.
"They couldn't come at a better season or at a better time," Mr. Bailey said. "The festive season provides its own difficulties for road safety as the frequency and quantity of parties and the indulgence in extra food and alcohol have influenced the increase in the number of accidents on the roads over the years."
Designated driver
Mr. Bailey also encouraged individuals who may be planning to drink during the holidays to take along with them a designated driver.
Since the start of the year, 313 persons have been killed on the island's roads, a significant fall compared to last year's 361 for the same period.
Dr. Lucien Jones, vice-chairman of the National Road Safety Council, appealed to residents to remain cautious in order to keep the figures down.
"If we continue to be as vigilant as we have been for the earlier part of the year, we can keep the figures down to under 320 for this year," he said.
