The government of Jamaica through the Ministry of Transport and Works National Works Agency is working to make the nation's roads safer by improving the road signage across the island.

These signs which were gazetted in December, 1999, have been and are being used on various major projects such as the Old Harbour Bypass, Trafalgar Road, Washington Boulevard, Mount Rosser and the various phases of the North Coast Highway.

The use of the new designs came out of recommendations made by SweRoad, the Swedish consultants contracted by the Jamaican government in 1998, for a two year period, to conduct a road safety project to analyse the incidence of accidents, road signage and road markings. The new signs are in keeping with international standards and should see a vast improvement so far as the ability of foreigners coming to Jamaica being able to recognise them.

Among the new signs being used are warning signals, which give notice to dangerous areas as well as regulatory signs. Warning Signs indicate to road users that there is a dangerous bend or curve ahead, pedestrian crossings ahead or children in the area. Regulatory Signs (those with legal implications) include signs prohibiting stopping, parking and turning among others. Unless otherwise indicated on an additional panel, the restriction starts to apply at the point the sign is erected. These signs are usually placed in a location that makes them easily visible and legible to the road users.

In terms of identification of these signs, most of the regulatory ones are ones are circular, while some are triangular. They have white background with red lining and all the symbols or words are in black. The warning signs on the other hand are yellow and diamond shaped with black symbols on them.

Although the new signs are smaller than those used before, they lose nothing in effectiveness as not only are they eye-catching, but also when a Motor vehicle light hits them during the nights, they will light up and be highly visible.

The NWA is trying to procure diamond-grade reflective signs which is more reflective (than engineering grade) and so increase visibility to motorists, especially with the warning signs. The Agency has gone for the highest quality for the 'pedestrian crossing ahead' as well as the 'children in the area' signs. Currently, fluorescent diamond grade which are the most reflective ones in the possession of the NWA are the ones being used.

In addition to the new and improved road signs, the NWA and the Ministry are working to improve the longevity of road markings, especially on pedestrian crossings. Against this background, thermoplastic paint is used which have a wear life of three years as opposed to the road-marking paint that was being used previously which have a wear life between three months and a year.