The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Traffic Division are reminding the public to exercise greater care and caution on the road this Emancipation-Independence holiday season, in a bid to stem the hike in road deaths and injuries.

In a release sent to the media, the JCF warned that it will be beefing up its spot and speed checks during this celebratory season as the need arises.

"Our focus for the holidays as it relates to speed and spot checks will be informed by our monitoring of celebration activities venues. Therefore, what we have done is to map all the main routes leading to festive events and will set up speed and spot checks along these routes," Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gary McKenzie outlined.

DSP McKenzie reported that the JCF aims to have at least 50 to 70 more officers on traffic-related duties daily during this holiday.

DSP McKenzie highlighted that the police aims to maintain a no nonsense approach to serious moving violations such as careless and dangerous driving as well as improper overtaking.

clamping down

According to DSP McKenzie, his team will also be clamping down on motorists who drink alcohol and drive. Eighteen out of 20 breathalyser centres are in working order and have been activated by the police to detect/analyse drink-and-drive offenders.

Alcohol users have also come in for scrutiny from the NRSC. Paula Fletcher, executive director, NRSC, is reiterating that motorists who will be attending parties should not drive after consuming alcohol.

"Alcohol impairs your judgement and mental faculties, so you must have a designated driver who does not drink alcohol if you plan to drink during any parties you attend this holiday or at any other time," urged Fletcher. "Having a designated driver is the way in which you can have fun in a responsible way."

The words of caution from the NRSC and police come at a time when road fatalities and road crashes have increased by 5 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, during January 1 to August 2, 2013, in comparison to the same period last year. Road deaths moved from 152 to 160 for the January 1 to August 2, 2013 period, over the corresponding period for 2012. Fatal crashes jumped from 130 to 146 during the comparative period.