Dinthill students receive life-saving road-safety tips

The auditorium at Dinthill Technical High School in Linstead, St Catherine, was abuzz with activity as grade 10 students gathered for an interactive road-safety presentation, spearheaded by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition (NHWC).

The project is implemented by the JN Foundation and the National Road Safety Council, and funded by the FIA Foundation. The focus of the session was the importance of wearing helmets, an often overlooked yet critical aspect of road safety. Through charts, videos, and real-life statistics, Sydoney Preddie, NHWC project manager, highlighted the devastating consequences of neglecting helmet use.

"We aim to reach young people at this crucial stage of their development to instil a culture of safety," she explained after her presentation. "By helping them understand the importance of wearing helmets and making responsible decisions on the road, we hope these habits will carry over when they become motorists, ultimately contributing to fewer accidents and saving lives."

Nearly 240 upper school students were in attendance for the helmet safety presentation and the wider school community of almost 1,000 were engaged at the booths during the day's activities. Student Kechani Thompson said that although she does not ride motorcycles, the session was engaging, informative and educational.

"I learned that helmets can expire and how many people die each year from not wearing them," said Kechani. "In Jamaica, a lot of people don't wear helmets when they ride bikes." For Trishana Francis, the session resonated on a deeper level.

"I was feeling down, but going in there and coming out, I felt kind of happy. It lifted my spirits," she said. Her personal connection to the topic made it even more meaningful. Her older brother, an avid biker, did not own a helmet. Her wish to provide him with one was later fulfilled by the NHWC, a gesture that left her both relieved and happy.

The initiative aligns with Dinthill Technical's commitment to promoting road safety. Principal Anthony Garwood underscored the school's proactive approach, which includes driver education as part of the curriculum.

"We're one of the schools that do driver education. It came out of a concern about how the students respond on the road, how they take transportation and what transportation to take," he explained. Garwood commended the students for their positive reception, particularly the interactive elements.

Collaborating partners, including the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), and the HEART/Trust NSTA, also emphasised the importance of reaching young people early. Dontae Matthews, ITA's manager for corporate communications and public relations, said the stakeholders wanted to ensure that motorcyclists, prospective and current, wear helmets.

"We also realise that our young people account for a lot of our fatalities, so we have to get to them at an early age."