Photo Caption: Coswayne Samms, sales and marketing manager at Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) (second left, seated) signs the Memorandum of Understanding with Campus Elite CEO, Sandre Malcolm (right) at the recent signing of an agreement between entities and the iDrive4Life initiative. Also witnessing the signing are Odain Cameron (left), Sales Support Officer, JAA, and Kristoff Green, a member of the Campus Elite team. dThe signing took place at The Jamaica National Group Corporate Offices on Oxford Road, recently. Under the terms of the MOU, JAA will serve as the official transportation provider for shuttle and excursions for Campus Elite events, to ensure students attending popular excursions and entertainment activities can travel safely and reliably. In return, Campus Elite will actively promote the iDrive4Life initiative as the preferred driving school for students, reinforcing the importance of responsible driving habits and road safety education.
The Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA), Campus Elite and iDrive4Life have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote road safety awareness across universities and college campuses in Jamaica.
The MOU was signed at The Jamaica National Group Corporate Offices recently.
Under the terms of the agreement, JAA will serve as the official transportation provider for shuttle and excursions for Campus Elite events, to ensure students attending popular excursions and entertainment activities can travel safely and reliably. In return, Campus Elite will actively promote the iDrive4Life initiative as the preferred driving school for students, reinforcing the importance of responsible driving habits and road safety education.
“Campus Elite has been a key player in organising events for tertiary students across Jamaica for the past five years. Their excursions and entertainment offerings are well-attended, and transportation is a critical part of that experience,” Coswayne Samms, sales and marketing manager at JAA, explained.
He emphasised that the partnership aligned with JAA’s ongoing commitment to road safety.
“Through this partnership, JAA will ensure students get to and from these events safely, while also encouraging them to enjoy responsibly and make smart choices on the road,” he said.
Mr Samms added that the initiative supports national road safety goals by promoting the use of designated transport services, which can help reduce traffic congestion and prevent road crashes involving patrons heading to or from venues.
“Jamaica has a vibrant party culture, and while we want students to enjoy themselves, we also want them to get home safely,” he said. “Too often, we hear of unfortunate incidents involving young people after events. This partnership allows us to step in and make a meaningful difference.”
One feature of the MOU is the integration of the iDrive4Life initiative, a joint effort between the JN Foundation and the JAA Driving Academy. iDrive4Life offers a comprehensive driver education experience that includes theoretical instruction, practical training, driver simulation technology, and road safety empowerment. As a non-profit initiative, it aims to transform driving habits and reduce road fatalities by equipping young drivers with the skills and knowledge they need to be safe and responsible road users.
“Campus Elite will actively recommend iDrive4Life to students as their go-to driving school,” Mr. Samms added. “This not only helps students become better drivers but also reinforces the message of road safety across campuses.”
Montel Hill, who leads the iDrive4Life initiative, said the MOU is a strategic step toward embedding road safety culture within tertiary institutions.
“This partnership allows us to reach students directly on campus and offer driving lessons in a safe, structured environment,” Mr Hill said. “We’re starting with The University of the West Indies and plan to expand to other campuses soon.”
Campus Elite CEO, Sandre Malcolm, shared that the decision to formalise the partnership stemmed from concerns about transportation safety during past excursions.
“Last year, we had some issues with transport operators not following road rules, and that raised red flags,” Mr Malcolm said. “We wanted a reliable partner who could guarantee safe travel, especially for our international students.”
He added, “This partnership with JAA and iDrive4Life gives us the opportunity to offer students not just safe transportation but also access to professional driving lessons. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
