Corporal Daniel Bennett (left), of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Traffic Division highlights some of the safety features of the padded bike helmet which is recommended for use by motorcyclists, to Duane Ellis (right) General Manager of the Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) and Orville Johnson (center), Executive Director of the Insurance Association (IAJ), at the Autofest auto fair held on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the JAA’s 7 Central Avenue Headquarters, Swallowfield.
“Safety” was the watchword at the second annual Autofest, as the Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) highlighted the important link between vehicle maintenance and road safety to some 650 patrons.
Autofest, organized in collaboration with the Insurance Association of Jamaica (IAJ), under the theme, “Car Care for Safe Motoring” took place at the JAA Headquarters, 7 Central Avenue, Swallowfield, on Saturday, June 2.
Duane Ellis, General Manager of the JAA, said the auto fair was structured to highlight the five pillars which underpin the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety campaign – Road Safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users and post crash response.
“We wanted to ensure that patrons of the Autofest left with a greater appreciation for these fundamental subject areas that are central to the road safety and mobility mandate of the campaign,” he noted.
The fair included no cost services such as – car washes, vacuuming, detailing, vehicle inspections and valuations. “Autofest forms part of the JAA’s ongoing road safety advocacy activities and was an opportunity to engage motorists, while provided value added car care services,” Mr. Ellis stated.
Agencies, including the Road Safety Unit of the Ministry of Transport & Housing, the Island Traffic Authority, the National Works Agency and the National Road Safety Council, made presentations and provided pertinent information and material about road safety management issues.
“Our stakeholder partners provided different perspectives on some of the most common road safety and mobility concerns, and we are pleased that they were able to provide answers to the many queries from patrons,” Mr. Ellis said.
Orville Johnson, Executive director of the IAJ, said the expanded event was a great educational opportunity for persons to learn how to prevent crashes by assessing their driving behaviour.
“The interactive driver improvement sessions allowed persons to test their driving skills and see where they needed improvement; in addition, patrons learned how varying stages of drunkenness could impair their coordination and driving,” he pointed out.
Many patrons had positive comments about the auto fair. Carolyn Graham, JAA member, said the event was a “fantastic idea” that added extra value to her membership in the Auto Club. And, George Rochester said he liked the event. “I chose to get a free valuation done on my car because I was also going to get a free car wash, as well.”
