With a view to support actions to address the alarming rate of road crashes in Jamaica, Berger Paints Jamaica Ltd (BPJL) has joined forces with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) and the National Works Agency (NWA) to pilot Project Reflect and Protect.

This innovative initiative focuses on the use of reflective road marking paint to improve road visibility and ultimately reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries.

Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, the Hon. Daryl Vaz, has expressed his full support for the project, highlighting its alignment with his broader vision of prioritising road safety in 2025 and beyond. He emphasized that Project Reflect and Protect is a crucial part of a larger, more comprehensive road safety campaign, with reflective road markings playing a critical role in ensuring safer roadways.

Vice-Chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), Dr. Lucien Jones, also praised the initiative, noting the importance of public-private partnerships in driving impactful road safety efforts. Dr. Jones has long advocated for focused, effective measures to reduce road crashes, a key component in sustaining national development while minimizing the social and economic burdens of traffic accidents.

The initiative comes in response to the devastating impact of road crashes, which often result in fatalities, injuries, and significant economic and emotional strain on both private and public sector resources. Project Reflect and Protect represents a strategic move to mitigate these dangers and their far-reaching consequences.

BPJL’s General Manager, Dwaine Williams, expressed pride that its locally manufactured and innovative reflective road marking paint is being used in support of this pilot project. “We began manufacturing reflective road marking paint in late 2024, following extensive collaboration with the JCC and other stakeholder groups to brainstorm solutions for tackling the high rate of road crashes. Our durable and high-quality road marking solutions are formulated specifically for this type of use and will significantly improve visibility, especially under low-light conditions. Through this partnership, BPJL can help to create safer roads and reduce the frequency of road crashes across the island,” Williams said.

Phillip Ramson, President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the profound impact of the initiative. “Road safety has become an urgent issue for all of us. Reflective road markings can save lives by enhancing visibility, reducing the risk of accidents, and improving driver awareness. The economic and societal costs of road crashes—ranging from the loss of productivity to the strain on healthcare and emergency services—are substantial. The JCC is confident that Project Reflect and Protect will be a game-changer in addressing these issues,” Ramson stated.

According to research, reflective road markings, particularly center and edge lines, can reduce crashes by up to 36%. They significantly improve visibility for drivers, particularly in low-light or adverse weather conditions, providing clearer pathways to safer roads.

The pilot phase of Project Reflect and Protect launched on Sunday, April 6, 2025, on Spanish Town Road, starting on the 3 Miles to 6 Miles stretch. Representatives of the JCC, NWA and police were all on hand to ensure things went smoothly. This initial pilot and assessment period will test BPJL’s reflective road marking paint against the NWA’s requirements of durability and effective reflectivity as the NWA forges ahead with their wider campaign on road safety, with the goal of enhancing driver awareness, improving road safety, and drastically reducing road fatalities.