Traffic crashes leaving Jamaicans in darkness

The Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) is issuing a strong appeal to motorists after a worrying surge in power outages caused by motor vehicle crashes.

Since the start of the year, collisions involving vehicles and utility poles have triggered 799 power outages islandwide, averaging about four crash-related outages per day.

The parishes most affected by these incidents from January to July 2025 are St Catherine (120 outages), Kingston and St Andrew (112 outages), and St Elizabeth (88 outages).

In each case, collisions with poles resulted in significant damage, leaving thousands of customers without electricity, the JPS said.

"One single accident can result in thousands of customers being badly inconvenienced," the JPS said in a statement yesterday.

JPS is urging all road users to remain vigilant and exercise caution. The utility company emphasises that a single moment of poor judgement can result in personal injury, damage to electrical infrastructure, and widespread disruption of electricity service.