Traffic calming measures being considered for Ferry Service Road following fatal hit-and-run

 

Discussions are expected to intensify between the police and National Works Agency (NWA) on traffic calming measures that can be implemented along the Ferry Service Road, which runs parallel to the Mandela Highway, following Monday's fatal hit-and-run incident. 

 

Eleven-year-old Duran McKenzie, a student of Drews Avenue Primary and Infant School, was killed. 

 

The motorist was later arrested after the police obtained his licence plate number. 

 

He is facing charges of causing death by dangerous driving and leaving the scene of an accident. 

 

Commander for the Ferry subdivision of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, Deputy Superintendent Earl Grant, told Radio Jamaica News that speeding is a concern along the roadway, despite the erection of warning signs to indicate the 50-kilometre speed limit and the area being a school zone. 

 

DSP Grant said dialogue had previously started with the NWA for the erection of speed bumps. 

 

Addressing the issue Tuesday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, NWA Communication Manager Stephen Shaw said he was not privy to those discussions, but expects that the agency would be seriously considering the suggestion from the police.

 

"I only heard on the news this morning that conversation or that statement about the traffic calming measures. I will have to speak with my colleagues in the planning section as to what they are contemplating or considering in respect of that. The truth is, as the police would have pointed out, it is a 50-kilometre zone. It is not meant to be a racetrack. To the extent that we can implement some measures along the road, I am sure it is something that

we are prepared to do," he said. 

 

It was reported that, about 3 p.m., passengers of a Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus had disembarked and were attempting to cross the road when the driver of a panel van that was allegedly speeding hit the child.