The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is underscoring the need for an improved road crash-response system to be put in place by the authorities.

The council is also batting for the new Road Safety Act to be enacted as a matter of urgency. Dr Lucien Jones, NRSC's vice chairman/convenor, made the appeals as he delivered the keynote address at a Kiwanis Club of St Andrew meeting at the Altamont Court Hotel on Thursday.

Dr Jones said the country needs to do more in terms of the training of paramedics and the general public in how to manage crash victims. He pointed to the need for the state to have in place a dedicated fleet of emergency response vehicles and personnel, as well as a dedicated emergency telephone line for accessing help in the case of road crashes.

"There is a need for our nation to improve the emergency response when a road crash occurs - from properly lifting of the victims to getting them to medical care within the shortest possible time," said Dr. Jones."We need to attend to the important issue of what happens after a crash. A dedicated, efficient emergency telephone system will trigger a quick response from the police, fire brigade and ambulances."

He called for the establishment of quality trauma centres islandwide. This, he said, is critical in the survival of the crash victim in the 'golden hour' after a crash occurs. "We need well-staffed and well-equipped trauma centres islandwide," urged Dr Jones.

He explained the need for the Ministries of Health and Local Government to collaborate in improving the response measures and systems for crash sites. Dr Jones revealed that NRSC Chairman, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, has brought on board the minister of local government, to join in the consultations with the other partner organisations of the NRSC, in a bid to discuss and improve road-safety awareness and response mechanisms.

"Let's pass the Road Safety Act swiftly and empower the Island Traffic Authority to suspend licences if points exceed the legal limit, without having to go to court to have the licence of the offender revoked. This would make a huge difference in augmenting the efficiency of the new ticketing system which is already making its mark," recommended Dr Jones.

He said the new Road Safety Act will put sanctions in place to deter the use of cellphones while driving and would also effect an improved system of driver training and licensing - the graduated licensing system. "The current Road Safety Act does not address the issue of tyre standards. The new Act will seek to have motorists comply with an international standard for tyres," Dr Jones outlined.

Dr Jones lamented, "As of today February 28, there have been 37 deaths on our roads - this means the road death toll is now at the same level as it was for the corresponding period last year. So things are not looking so good at present."