Highway 2000: Drive and Walk At Your Own Risk!
While I was in Jamaica, I was really surprised by the progress the government had made on Highway 2000. I’d heard that the segment starting from Sangster International Airport now reached passed Ocho Rios, but I was surprised to see that they were actually almost to Port Maria. Although the road was now completely paved for the entire length of my trip from the airport to my in-law’s, I didn’t find the trip to be that much faster for some strange reason. Could it be due to the fact that our driver was constantly dodging and giving way to other drivers that were exceeding 80 mph?
I love walking at night when I’m in Jamaica, the air is clean, you can see every little star, and that’s when everyone is out and about, and the music is thumping. It’s my favorite past time when I’m there, but this time I was scared someone was going to slide off the road and come crashing into me and my family at some ridiculous rate of speed. Unfortunately, that reality happened to one child while I was there, he was killed by a speeding motorist while riding a bike in an area called Wilderness.
Now we all know that driving in Jamaica is a hair-raising experience, but pavement has added a whole new element to the madness! I’ve never come so close to being run over whether I was walking or riding, in all my life. (I was actually hit in the face with gravel by a car that was upset that my driver wouldn’t let him pass, so when he finally did overtake us he deliberately drove onto the side of the road and kicked up gravel so it would hit us. I unfortunately had my window down, but I was facing the backseat because I was looking at my daughter, so it could have been worse.)From what I was told there are no immediate plans to install sidewalks until they are completely finished with the road and in some places they made the road so close to the embankments I don’t know where they would fit, so when you are walking on the road side you are totally exposed to the drivers, especially in sharp turns. My husband joked that they are going to have start building hospitals along the roadsides, but seriously I am worried about the safety of pedestrians, especially children who sometimes throw caution to the wind or just simply forget to be careful. Praye rfully my fears will be unwarranted.
Technorati Tags:jamaica, News, highway 2000
2 comments ↓
Yes, driving and general road safety are major issues on the island.I am domiciled in the parish of Manchester,in the mountains,and the incidence of traffic accidents and mishaps are extremely significant.I have lost some close friends as a consequence of automobile accidents.I can empathise with your concerns,anxieties, and sentiments regarding driving and road conditions in Jamaica. RESPECT!!
Hi Esteban,
Yeah, I’ve grown accustomed to the road conditions (good and bad) in JA, but it can be frightening at times. I just hope that people will slow down and take their time…there is after all no place like Jamaica. I wish I had those views from my car everyday!
Leave a Comment