Justin Holland, a tourist visiting Negril from New Jersey, USA, was senselessly hit and killed by a reckless driver on Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril on February 1st. Justin was only 26 years old and was in Jamaica with his mom and a large group of her relatives and friends to celebrate her birthday. He was waiting on the shoulder of the road to cross to the other side and a driver stopped and put on his hazard lights for Justin to cross. A young Jamaican who by witness accounts was drag racing overtook the stopped car striking Justin and killing him instantly. It took almost 2 hours for the police to come.
The lack of law enforcement and road safety in Negril is appalling. There are many reckless drivers and speeders on Negril roads, and youths showing off their lack of regard for human life by drag racing down the streets with no consequences from local law enforcement. The roads are a hazard for visitors and Jamaicans alike.
Considering that many properties lining the cliff and beach roads have both gardenside and beach/cliffside accommodations, and there are restaurants and clubs on both sides of the streets, many pedestrians have to cross those streets. The fact that one takes one's life in one's hands when crossing or even walking on the shoulder of the road in Negril is a huge deterrent to wanting to visit the area.
We the undersigned demand that safety measures be put into effect immediately. These measures should include speed bumps placed at intervals along Norman Manley Boulevard and policing and prosecution of reckless drivers on all the main thoroughfares in Negril. If these measures are not put into place, we choose to boycott Negril. We will not recommend Negril as travel destination and will put out the word far and wide that one is risking one's life by walking along or crossing a road in Negril. Justin's story has already spread on the Internet and is posted on numerous travel sites. You cannot bring back this mother's son, but you can prevent more lives being taken and keep us coming back to Negril by showing that the roads are being made safe.
The momentum building behind this call for safer streets in Negril reflects a collective desire for accountability. We are approaching one thousand signatures and your continued engagement is the most effective way to ensure our request reaches those in a position to implement change. Please consider sending this link to three individuals today to help us cross this threshold.
Reached 100 supporters
February 6, 2009
6 Comments
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Featured
People die daily on Jamaican roads due to small town and rural conditions. Lack of street signs, stop lights, sidewalks, speed limits unenforced, all contribute to the problem. Plus, there are more cars than 20 ago, when it was a sleepy town. They need a real hospital and transport system.. Maybe we raise money through a international campaign! Sounds good!
S
Sheryl Johnston
17 years ago
Featured
So heartbreaking for his family. I live here and I see the drag racing every single weekend. The police do nothing about it. Total madness.
M
Mark Walton
17 years ago
Featured
NEEDS SPEED BUMPS NOW. People treat the boulevard like a race track. Its a tourist area not a speedway.
D
Dave Fuentes
17 years ago
Featured
This is so sad. My wife and I visited Negril last year and the driving is absolutely insane. You honestly feel like you are going to get hit just walking to dinner. Something has to change.
L
Lisa Acosta
17 years ago
Featured
I was there that night. The traffic was backed up for forever while we waited for help. It was a nightmare. RIP Justin.
K
Kevin Yang
17 years ago
Featured
Too many accidents happen on these roads. We need better lighting and actual crosswalks. It shouldnt be this dangerous to just visit a beach.
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Justin Holland, a tourist visiting Negril from New Jersey, USA, was senselessly hit and killed by a reckless driver on Norman Manley Boulevard in Negril on February 1st. Justin was only 26 years old and was in Jamaica with his mom and a large group of her relatives and friends to celebrate her birthday. He was waiting on the shoulder of the road to cross to the other side and a driver stopped and put on his hazard lights for Justin to cross. A young Jamaican who by witness accounts was drag racing overtook the stopped car striking Justin and killing him instantly. It took almost 2 hours for the police to come.
The lack of law enforcement and road safety in Negril is appalling. There are many reckless drivers and speeders on Negril roads, and youths showing off their lack of regard for human life by drag racing down the streets with no consequences from local law enforcement. The roads are a hazard for visitors and Jamaicans alike.
Considering that many properties lining the cliff and beach roads have both gardenside and beach/cliffside accommodations, and there are restaurants and clubs on both sides of the streets, many pedestrians have to cross those streets. The fact that one takes one's life in one's hands when crossing or even walking on the shoulder of the road in Negril is a huge deterrent to wanting to visit the area.
We the undersigned demand that safety measures be put into effect immediately. These measures should include speed bumps placed at intervals along Norman Manley Boulevard and policing and prosecution of reckless drivers on all the main thoroughfares in Negril. If these measures are not put into place, we choose to boycott Negril. We will not recommend Negril as travel destination and will put out the word far and wide that one is risking one's life by walking along or crossing a road in Negril. Justin's story has already spread on the Internet and is posted on numerous travel sites. You cannot bring back this mother's son, but you can prevent more lives being taken and keep us coming back to Negril by showing that the roads are being made safe.
The momentum building behind this call for safer streets in Negril reflects a collective desire for accountability. We are approaching one thousand signatures and your continued engagement is the most effective way to ensure our request reaches those in a position to implement change. Please consider sending this link to three individuals today to help us cross this threshold.
Reached 100 supporters
February 6, 2009
6 Comments
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
Featured
People die daily on Jamaican roads due to small town and rural conditions. Lack of street signs, stop lights, sidewalks, speed limits unenforced, all contribute to the problem. Plus, there are more cars than 20 ago, when it was a sleepy town. They need a real hospital and transport system.. Maybe we raise money through a international campaign! Sounds good!
S
Sheryl Johnston
17 years ago
Featured
So heartbreaking for his family. I live here and I see the drag racing every single weekend. The police do nothing about it. Total madness.
M
Mark Walton
17 years ago
Featured
NEEDS SPEED BUMPS NOW. People treat the boulevard like a race track. Its a tourist area not a speedway.
D
Dave Fuentes
17 years ago
Featured
This is so sad. My wife and I visited Negril last year and the driving is absolutely insane. You honestly feel like you are going to get hit just walking to dinner. Something has to change.
L
Lisa Acosta
17 years ago
Featured
I was there that night. The traffic was backed up for forever while we waited for help. It was a nightmare. RIP Justin.
K
Kevin Yang
17 years ago
Featured
Too many accidents happen on these roads. We need better lighting and actual crosswalks. It shouldnt be this dangerous to just visit a beach.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach
1,000 signatures.
Sign Petition
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Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
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People die daily on Jamaican roads due to small town and rural conditions. Lack of street signs, stop lights, sidewalks, speed limits unenforced, all contribute to the problem. Plus, there are more cars than 20 ago, when it was a sleepy town. They need a real hospital and transport system.. Maybe we raise money through a international campaign! Sounds good!