By Anthony Henry

Chairman of the Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), Egeton Newman, has bemoaned the loss of 374 lives on Jamaica’s roads in 2025, describing the figure as deeply troubling and worse than the previous year.

Newman said the death toll represents an increase of between nine and ten per cent compared to 2024, calling the trend “sad” and unacceptable.

While noting that public transport operators accounted for 15 of the fatalities, Newman said every death matters and underscored the need for a more comprehensive approach to road safety.

He argued that Jamaica’s road safety challenge extends beyond driver behaviour, pointing to poor road conditions, vehicle safety issues and inadequate training as critical factors contributing to fatal crashes.

According to Newman, professional drivers such as taxi operators spend most of their working lives on the road, often travelling the same routes up to 18 to 24 times daily, which makes the condition of the road network particularly concerning.

He said TODSS’ strategy aligns with international road safety principles that emphasise safer roads, safer vehicles and better-educated road users.

Looking to 2026, Newman said TODSS has developed a focused action plan aimed primarily at training and development for transport operators, while continuing to press the government to address the condition of major roads and highways.

He announced that the organisation will kick off its 2026 road safety campaign with a stakeholder engagement next week Tuesday at Hope Gospel Assembly on Old Hope Road. The meeting is expected to include representatives from the transport sector, churches, the private sector and public bodies.

Newman said the campaign will roll out a multi-million-dollar, multi-faceted training programme targeting approximately 40,000 transport sector participants nationwide.

As part of the plan, TODSS is proposing that, after a two-year transition period, transport operators should not be permitted to renew their licences unless they are certified by the Transport Operators Training and Development Institute.

Newman said the organisation is committed to seeing the programme implemented and is calling on the government to support the initiative as part of a broader effort to reduce road deaths.

A planning meeting to formally launch the process is scheduled for later this month.